Health
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- Written by: Marta Fuller and Joan Reynolds
Starting in January 2007, children entering public school for the first time, in kindergarten or first grade, are to have a dental checkup by May 31 of their first school year. The goal of this new legislation is to ensure our children have regular access to dental care and to raise parents’ awareness of the importance of oral health to overall health and readiness to learn.
Many young children in Lake County will be having a dental screening this year at state subsidized preschools. Thanks to the Children’s Oral Health Project, funded by First 5 Lake County, children learn how to brush their teeth well and are encouraged to see the dentist every year.
Lake County Office of Education’s Healthy Start program is also holding Health Fairs at local state preschools, which include dental health screening, fluoride varnishes and oral health education for parents and caregivers
The project has also established “daily brushing programs” at preschools and daycares to increase the quality of teeth brushing among young children and to decrease the amount of time between thorough teeth cleanings. Children, parents and teachers are also taught the importance of good oral health care with class instruction and video-based courses, emphasizing the link between dental health and total health.
In 2000, the U.S. Surgeon General’s report, “Oral Health in America” described dental disease as an epidemic among children throughout our nation. Poor children are especially vulnerable.
In fact, dental disease is the most chronic childhood disease in this country – five times more prevalent than asthma. It affects overall health, impacting nutritional intake, growth and development, self-esteem and even future success in school.
Statistics show that one out of every 15 children in California suffers debilitating dental disease. In Lake County, 41 percent of preschool children receiving a dental screening this year have experienced dental decay.
And if a family member has untreated cavities, a child’s risk for dental decay goes up as well. Children of mothers with poor oral health are five times more likely to have oral health problems.
It is important for parents, prospective parents, and caregivers to monitor their own dental health – see a dentist at least once every six months and get treatment as necessary. We now know that dental decay is an infectious disease – the bacteria is passed from parent to baby.
Prevention is the key – and is certainly preferred to drilling a decayed tooth in the mouth of a young child.
Let’s make 2008 the year we stop dental decay among all Lake County kids!
Marta Fuller, RN, is the coordinator of the Lake County Children’s Dental Disease Prevention Program in the Department of Health Services. For more information, e-mail
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- Written by: Editor
Coalition members, who will serve for 30 months, will coordinate efforts to educate county residents about the dangers of exposure to second-hand smoke and participate in legislative activities at local and state levels.
Applicants should have a desire to affect change in societal norms regarding tobacco use, eliminating exposure to harmful chemicals in second-hand smoke, and helping to stop youth access to tobacco products. Non-smokers, previous smokers and current smokers are encouraged to apply.
The first scheduled meeting of the Coalition will be on Feb. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Lake Family Resource Center, 896 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport. A light Valentine’s Day lunch will be served.
If you are interested in serving on the LCTCP Tobacco Coalition, please call Michael Rupe, program director, at 262-1611, Extension 118.
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- Written by: Editor
Given in a series of three shots over six months, Gardasil protects against four types of HPV, which are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts.
Despite the protection Gardasil offers, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, emphasizes regular pap smear testing.
The HPV vaccine is most effective when administered to girls and women before the onset of sexual activity. The FDA has approved the vaccine for girls and women between the ages 9 to 26.
This vaccine is administered in the upper arm and is generally well tolerated.
Women who are already sexually active, who may have had prior HPV exposure, may have less protection from the HPV vaccine, but should also be vaccinated.
Women who have already had abnormal pap smears, genital warts or precancerous changes, may still benefit from the HPV vaccine, as it is unlikely they have already been exposed to all four types of HPV.
With widespread use, HPV vaccination has the potential to decrease the risk of genital warts and cervical cancer.
Dr. Paula Dhanda, whose practice is based in Kelseyville, strongly recommends this vaccine and is giving it to her patients. She advises women to call their doctor or health care provider.
A lot of insurances cover this vaccine, Dhanda reports. Women may confirm this, by checking with their insurance and asking for coverage for the Gardasil Vaccine, CPT code 90649.
Dr. Dhanda's office can be reached at 279-8733.
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- Written by: Editor
Assembly Bill 572 updates rules and regulations to provide greater flexibility in transportation and nutrition services provided through regional adult day health care centers.
“These centers help seniors and people with disabilities stay in their homes and stay out of institutions,” said Berg, D-Eureka. “My bill helps individuals live better lives, and helps maintain stable communities.”
Existing state regulations prohibit these centers from giving clients a ride that will last longer than an hour. The practical effect of that rule is to prohibit people in remote rural areas from receiving services that are readily available to city dwellers.
“Those old rules don’t seem to reflect the real needs of real people,” said Berg. “It might work in a big city, but not in rural areas of the North Coast.”
Adult day health care centers provide nursing care, physical therapy, speech therapy, social work services and some mental health services.
There are 360 centers throughout California.
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