Health
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Office of Problem Gambling’s (OPG) fifth annual training summit will focus on innovative treatment methods for this disease and educating the public about its warning signs.
“Educating and Effectuating Change,” set for March 3-4, at the DoubleTree Berkeley-Marina Hotel, will kick off National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, as designated by the National Council on Problem Gambling.
It’s estimated that one of every 30 people in California is affected by problem gambling.
This no-cost event is open to the public. It brings together nationally known experts in mental health and recovery.
Also attending will be representatives from health care, government, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement and the gambling industry.
Special guests include a woman who spent time behind bars because of her gambling addiction, and a former attorney who lost his license as a result of problem gambling.
Keynote speakers include Dr. Timothy Fong, co-director and associate clinical professor of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program, who will review the clinical and research issues related to the common occurrence of nicotine dependence and gambling disorder.
Dr. Rory Reid, also of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program will talk about assessing and treating gamblers with Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Dr. Jim Kooler, administrator of the California Friday Night Live Partnership, will talk about a youth-led and youth-driven prevention program, “Betting on our Future.”
Additional information is available on the summit brochure, http://problemgambling.securespsites.com/ccpgwebsite/PDF/summit-brochure.pdf .
March also is known for the NCAA basketball tournament, the second largest annual sports betting event. In 2012, nearly 4,300 people called the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline for gambling addiction.
While betting on sports is an illegal activity in California, more than 100 callers to the helpline said their primary gambling preference was sports betting.
The CDPH Office of Problem Gambling is responsible for developing prevention and treatment programs to reduce the prevalence of problem and pathological gambling among California residents. Funding for this program comes from the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund.
If you or someone you know needs help with problem gambling call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or visit OPG’s Web site to view a self-help workbook and other information about responsible gambling.
The Web site, http://problemgambling.securespsites.com/ccpgwebsite/for-gamblers/gambler-self-assessment.aspx , includes a short quiz to help you identify problem-gambling behavior.
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UKIAH, Calif. – Mendocino Community Health Clinic (MCHC) recently completed its annual Smiles Program, providing free oral health education, dental screening, fluoride varnishing to more than 2,350 local preschool and elementary school students in Ukiah, Willits and Lakeport.
MCHC targets schools with at least half of the student population on free or reduced lunch programs to stay in line with the health center’s mission of serving the most vulnerable populations.
Nationally, about half of children ages 6-15 are affected by dental disease (decayed or missing teeth).
MCHC HealthCorps member Tom Fuchs spearheaded the 2013-14 Smiles Program. He provided age-appropriate education, modifying his approach for each grade level.
For young children, Fuchs helped decrease fear of the dentist with the aid of a dinosaur puppet featuring a full set of friendly, human-looking teeth, and by putting on all the garb a dentist wears, including gloves, a headlamp, a mask, and a smock.
“What’s this?” Fuchs asks kindergarteners as he holds up the smock.
“A dress,” they replied.
“Right,” he said.
“And even the boy dentists wear these dresses,” he continues without missing a beat.
Kindergarteners look at each other quizzically and laugh as Fuchs dons the smock.
“Dentists wear protective clothing that may look funny, but dentists aren’t scary,” he assures them.
For older students, Fuchs educates them about how much sugar is in soda and the chemical process that occurs when sugar remains on the teeth. He encourages students to take responsibility for brushing their teeth regularly.
As someone who plans to become a research physician in neuroscience, Fuchs has a passion for science education and is able to reach students regardless of their age.
About a week after Fuchs visits each classroom, MCHC dental staff visit the same classrooms to provide dental screenings and flouride varnishing.
The screening can alert parents to potential dental problems and the varnish provides a protective coating to help prevent cavities.
Children with healthy teeth can be spared the pain and developmental setbacks that dental disease can bring, so MCHC reaches out to local schools through the Smiles Program each year.
MCHC also provides dental care to children at its three health centers: Hillside Health Center in Ukiah, Little Lake Health Center in Willits, and Lakeside Health Center in Lakeport.
For more information, visit www.mchcinc.org or call 707-468-1010.
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