Filling the need, and a bunch of cavities

The Ocean State has far more tiny teeth than the requisite dental providers needed to keep them clean and healthy.

By mid-morning, the ladies stationed outside the Cranston Street Community Action Program & Health Services (CCAP) building had given out more than 100 toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste and small multi-colored molar-shaped stress balls.

The CCAP staff was abuzz at 1090 Cranston St. all day Thursday as young patients flooded the exam rooms during the organization’s debut Pediatric Dental Day, scheduled to precede the first day of school (in Cranston this Thursday and Friday).

The same event rolled out at CCAP locations in Warwick and Coventry.

“We were excited to have had a dedicated Dental Clinic Day focused on pediatric care,” said CCAP’s Tara Pratt, Director of Dental and Mobile Health programs. “Recognizing the high demand for children’s dental services in our community, we are committed to ensuring that every child has access to essential oral healthcare. CCAP has been operating the West Bay Smiles and RMCM, Molar Express Dental programs in our school system since 2006, to help bridge the gap and meet this critical need.”

CCAP had some help pulling together last Thursday’s event.

The Rhode Island Dental Association stepped up to help fund the event and recruit other sponsors. RIDA Executive Director Aaron Guckian introduced participants as they bounced from room to room via the congested CCAP hallways.

“We are committed to working hard because every child deserves a happy and healthy smile,” said CCAP’s Chief Dental Officer Daksh Bhatt. “Our dedicated team is focused on providing the highest quality care and support to meet the dental needs of all children in our community.”

A pair of staffers met in the hallway with laughs and hugs. Dot Benton, a CCAP medical referral tracker, was dressed as a giant tube of toothpaste. Tenin Traore, a CCAP dental assistant, was dressed as a giant toothbrush. They were a matching pair. They posed for a photo holding a giant pair of sparkling choppers.

“We are so appreciative of the support from our community partners, UHP, RIte Smiles for connecting kids in need of care and RIDA Executive Officer Aaron Guckian for bringing awareness to such an important cause,” Pratt said. “Together we are making a meaningful impact to improve the lives of those who need it most.”

Guckian said the Rhode Island Department of Health, Colgate and UnitedHealthcare joined RIDA in making the CCAP Pediatric Dental Day a success.

“Oral health and attendance are directly correlated,” Guckian explained. “We want to thank Gov. [Daniel] McKee, [RI Department of Education] Commissioner [Angélica] Infante-Green, and their staffs as they continue to highlight their ‘Attendance Matters’ campaign across Rhode Island.”

CCAP, a family-centered medical and dental care provider in Cranston, Coventry and Warwick, kicked off the full day of pediatric screenings, timed to coincide with the first day of school.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cavities (tooth decay), are the most common chronic childhood disease in the United States and the leading cause of missed school among children, Guckian shared.

“On average, 34 million school hours and 2 million days are lost each year because of unplanned or emergency dental care,” according to the CDC.

“Access to dental care is not just about a smile, but about the health and future of our children,” Pratt said. “When children lack dental care, they risk more than just cavities — they risk missing school, falling behind in their education, and suffering from pain that can affect their overall quality of life.”

Dr. Andrew “Andy” Gazerro, RIDA president, explained the impact healthy teeth can have on a student’s daily life.

“Our teeth are meant to last a lifetime and are important to a child’s self-esteem,” Gazerro said. “No one wants to be bullied, let alone bullied about their smile.  With proper care, a balanced diet and regular dental visits, their teeth can remain healthy, beautiful and strong.”

Dr. Gayathri Shenoy, who performs the annual dental school screenings for Cranston elementary and middle school children, offered a vital statistic.

“Roughly 9 million children, ages 6 to 12, miss school because of an oral health issue,” he said. “Sadly, kids with poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school due to an emergent oral health condition and two times more likely to perform poorly academically.”

The RIte Smiles program covers preventive care, check‐ups and dental treatment services for Medicaid eligible Ocean State children born on or after May 1, 2000. As the Rlte Smiles program administrator, UnitedHealthcare contracts with dental providers and dental clinics to help connect local families with badly needed dental care. 

“UnitedHealthcare welcomes the opportunity to partner with RIDA and CCAP to improve access to preventive dental care which will help reduce incidences of childhood caries and other major causes of dental pain, which will ultimately reduce school absenteeism,” said Marie Jones Bridges, of RIte Smiles.

CCAP is one of the state’s “largest organizations dedicated solely to fighting the war on poverty,” according to the agency.

CCAP oral health professionals are located at CCAP facilities in Cranston, Warwick and Coventry.

“Our dentists and hygienists provide a full range of comprehensive dental services to both children and adults,” the agency pledges, in addition to offering “Sliding Scale discounts for patients who are financially eligible.” “CCAP does not limit access to service due to inability to pay.”

The state has been struggling with a drastic shortage of pediatric dental providers. Agencies like CCAP, and Tri-County Community Action Agency in Johnston (with a newly opened pediatric dental office on Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence) have been attempting to fill the need statewide.

He called Thursday’s CCAP event a “maiden voyage,” and just the first of many future collaborations aimed at improving the oral health of Ocean State children.