| Show p’jl upruin — “V-i- y Wy wy— f inip’arw (prnrrrmr mryh'y-- fryi r Standaro-txamine- make it as positive as we can ” “We have to be more than just a dentist We have to be psychobgists We have to be entertainers and we tty to Dr Alka Cohen Here are some tips from the American Dental Association and the American Society of Dentistry for Children on how to handle a child’s first visit to the dentist -and also how to prevent Baby teeth need love too Dentists want to see patients as infants to help prevent early decay Scnpps Howard News Service EMPHIS Tenn -T- hree-year-old Marcus Williams’ small face turned to a huge frown as dental assistant Pat Stewart slipped a lead vest around his d neck The quiet child began wiggling when his mother Shanna Richardson also put on a protective vest Marcus was perched on her lap fear showing on his face This was his first visit to the dentist “We’re trying to get some pictures of your teeth” pediatric dentist Dr Alka Cohen said in a calm friendly voice as Stewart tried to get Marcus to open his mouth and bite down on y film Marcus clenched his teeth Richardson whispered into his ear “Now come on M” Marcus opened his mouth allowing Stewart to slip in the navy-stripe- film Cohen showed Marcus the yellow smiley face on the vest and asked to see his teeth Marcus opened his mouth wider A few moments later Stewart muttered “Oh my finger!” as STAY WELL Untreated warts can spread -- By BARBARA J CHUCK Los Angeles Times most often affect and teens But can’t rest easy since these common skin growths can occur at any age In most cases warts are benign and harmless The human papillomavirus causes warts (no touching a frog doesn’t cause them) and the virus can spread Exposure to the virus doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get warts however Although warts tend to form where skin is damaged or broken they can appear anywhere on the body Left untreated they can increase in number and spread beyond the original location There are many types of warts Some of the most common are: Common warts: They have a raised rough surface and enlarged blood vessels in them look like dots on the warts’ surface They can appear on various parts of the body but most commonly form on the hands Plantar warts: They are flat and appear on the soles of the feet often making walking or standing painful When plantar warts form in clusters they’re called mosaic warts Periungal warts: They form under and around fingernails If you bite your nails you’re more likely to get this type of wart Filiform warts: They are slender finger-lik- e growths that can dangle from the skin They most often appear on the face and neck Your doctor can tell you which treatments are best for the type of wart you have Some treatments include: Cryotherapy or the freezing of warts Prescription topical medicines medicines that contain salicylic acid Laser surgery Injections Warts Begin your child’s first dental examinations as early as 6 months Marcus chomped down Still Marcus got his examination Cohen pulled out all of her goodies including flavored toothpaste and cool sunglasses to ease Marcus’ anxiety “You can’t be a pediatric dentist or assistant unless you’ve been bitten or vomited on” Cohen said “Every child is different We have to be more than just a dentist We have to be psychologists We have to be entertainers and we try to make it as positive as we can” Though he’s only 3 Marcus’ first visit to the dentist is more than two years late according to some dentists Cohen is among the growing number of dentists and pediatricians who are urging parents to take their children to the dentist when they are infants to prevent dental problems such tooth decay as baby-bottl- e The condition is caused when a child holds a bottle of milk formula fruit juices or other sweetened liquids in his mouth for long periods of time causing decay Dentists suggest that parents set up an initial consultation when the child’s first tooth erupts or about 6 months of age During the consultation parents are shown how to clean a child’s tooth with a soft toothbrush that fits on a finger or by using a soft child-friend- Don’t overreact or mislead your child about the visit When preparing a child for a visit to the dentist do not use words that will frighten him such as “needle” “shot” or “drilling” Work with your dentist to determine whether your presence in the treatment room is necessary Some children react well when a parent is ly Wilson during his first visit to the dentist Dr Tyler Wilson 2 holds hands with his mother Latanya overhead light Alka Cohen gave Tyler the sunglasses to help protect his eyes from the bright COOL PATIENT: cloth Regular visits which should begin at about age 1 include a routine cleaning with dental instruments and a fluoride treatment “What we need to see is if a baby’s oral structure is developing normally We also can educate parents on dental hygiene and allow them to get to know then pediatric dentist” Cohen said As medical advances make organ transplantation incrcasely viable there is a widening gulf between the number of people m need and the donor organs available The United Network for that more Organ Sharing reports were transplants 20045 than performed m 1997 while 56716 names remained on waiting lots and 43 6 people died waiting for needed organs 1 Cohen and others said the earlier visit also has an added benefit in some cases: It may help alleviate a child’s fear of the dentist Commonly at age 2 or 3 a child will fear the unknown “You can’t always know who is going to freak out” said Dr Linda Nelson 45 president of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry “Some kids by nature are very orally defensive It’s like decay-resista- when you take a child to the circus and you don’t know (they’re afraid) until they turn the lights down” Nelson also an assistant professor at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine at Harvard University said pediatric dentists have supported earlier visits for about 10 years but the idea was slow to catch on because new parents often receive so much information from pediatricians Scripps Howard News Service HEALTH MATTERS This listing provides information on events of interest to the public on health issues Submit items in writing deadline is noon Monday before publication N1CU REUNION for graduates of Columbia Ogden Regional Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit am to 2 pm Saturday in the education center at the hospital 5475 S 500 East Washington Terrace RSVP by Thursday at Please bring current photo of your child and one of the child while in the NICU 1 1 479-256- 0 OGDEN FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP meets at 7 pm Monday in the Green Room Level B McKay-De- e Hospital 3939 Harrison Blvd Ogden Angela Jackson Behavioral from McKay-De- e Health will speak on the effect of chronic illness on marriages and families All persons who have or think they might have fibromyalgia and their families are invited to attend No 6 charge 825-422- NEW VISIONS ON AGING 12th annual conference for seniors 9 am Monday (registration at 8 am) Little America Hotel X V Wf J 500 S Main Salt Lake City Hosted by Sen Orrin Hatch Speakers include Dan Clark contributing author to “Chicken Soup for the Soul” and Norma Zimmer formerly the “Champagne Lady” on “The Lawrence Welk Show” Workshops will cover caring for the Alzheimer’s patient grandparenting home modifications driving safely elder abuse fitness and travel tips Cost of $750 per person includes lunch Send registration to Conference for Seniors PO Box 1 1 396 Salt Lake City UT 84147 For more information or a registration form call 524-438- 0 Mother’s Day EUREKA Good thru Mother's 'Vatf twvBOBB LITE $39 comfit Rivolvlng Inuh Roll Sytm 2 Mold cltani carptu and bars noon EUREKA WORLD VAC -- -- ! $349ra Compact powerful canister Tool Storage Sim Handle Cyclonic Bag Saver' Power-Taue- h £$ eurem on board Model 3AA2 Model fiP-- One Rate - $ Fitter better than any other upright TRUE HE PA eeeled vacuum 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parents For younger children wipe a child’s teeth and gums with a damp washcloth or gauze pad after each feeding to remove plaque There are also toothbrushes that fit on the finger for younger children Begin flossing and brushing a child's teeth at least twice a day when all of the primary teeth have erupted - by age 2 to 2 1 12 Make sure your child gets the fluoride treatments needed teeth If the for local water system does not contain the amount of fluoride recommended discuss it with your dentist Make regular appointments with the dentist If you suspect your child has dental problems see a dentist as soon as possible Don't allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk formula fruit juices or sweetened liquids MURPHEYScnpps Howard News Service LANCE er Organs in short supply tooth decay: baby-bottl- e s- Ob e Ne o6 h I lAbi POOR |
