A New Law Requires Dental Care for Kids

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KCBS)  -- A new California law dictates that children in their first year of school must get a dental check-up before May 31st. Some Bay Area clinics are seeing an increase in young patients because of the requirement.

"There have been a couple of kids that come in and the parents weren't aware of the problem, it was just a small hole in a back tooth and the child never complained about any pain", said Dentist Anu Minocha, with the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley.

The law was enacted because tooth decay, when it is severe, can interfere with a child's eating, and even learning habits.

Minocha said that children should have their first dental check-up at one year of age.

Source: http://www.kcbs.com/pages/890655.php?contentType=4&contentId=868546


Prominent Local Figure Dies Jenkins Touted Nutrition, Knew Nixon

WHITTIER - Helen Field Jenkins, a colorful Whittier society figure who counted a young Richard M. Nixon among her early house guests and who taught her grandchildren how to do cartwheels when she was in her 70s, has died. She was 97.

Jenkins, mother of long time Whittier community leader Don L. Jenkins, was known as a cutting-edge nutritionist before it was popular. She died in Whittier June 16.

She was born April 13, 1910, in Kansas City, Mo., to Ona and Dalton Field. Her father, employed by Sunkist Fruit Growers, moved the family to La Habra around 1910, purchased a 100-acre citrus ranch and was appointed Sunkist field manager for the Whittier area.

Helen and her sisters, Luisa and Doris, grew up on the ranch. Their mother encouraged a musical orientation for the family. Helen often often reminisced about the days when she and her sisters danced and sang for World War II troops to their mother's piano accompaniment.

In the late 1920's, Helen and her sisters attended Whittier High School. Helen went on to Mills College, Whittier College and a USC dental hygiene program. She obtained a dental hygiene license in 1938.

She married Dr. O. Mark Jenkins, a well known oral surgeon in Whittier.

While raising two children, Don and Marilyn, she was active in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, served as a counselor for the YMCA's Camp Arbolado and volunteered countless hours teaching oral health and nutrition to elementary school children. Her expertise in this area was tapped by the Los Angeles County School System, where she developed a published curriculum for teaching dental health and nutrition in the classroom.

In 1954, she wrote a document for the Walter Dexter PTA outlining ways that parents could set good examples for their children by serving refreshments at board and committee meetings, and class parties that were nutritious. The paper encouraged consumption of fruits, nuts and cheese rather than sweets.

Her paper 50 years ago, said, "If girls are concerned about weight and cavities, provide them with milk rather than a soft drink."

After her own son and daughter were married, Helen focused more attention on practicing dental hygiene. State records show that she possessed a valid license through 1988 and at that time was the oldest practicing Dental Hygienist in California. Her professional career spanned 50 years.

Helen was a well-known participant in Whittier society life, which included the early years of prominent young attorney Richard M. Nixon. He was a guest in her home on many occasions.

Two of her grandchildren were involved in his second inaugural parade. She sent "Dick" a hand-written note advising him of that fact. The new president sent her a personal response.

Her son, Don L. Jenkins and daughter Barbara V. Scott, say they will always remember their mother for her endless energy, teaching her great grandchildren to do cartwheels well into her 70s and watching her move gracefully around the floor doing ballroom dances into her 90s.

She leaves her son Don and his wife, Barbara V. Jenkins; her daughter Barbara and husband Leo Scott, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Top 10 Things to Know About Your Dental Hygienist

These days, a visit with your dental hygienist may result in more benefits than just cleaner teeth and healthier gums -- you might even decide to stop smoking, improve your nutrition or check to see if you might be at risk for diabetes.

"Most people simply don't realize just how educated and skilled their dental hygienists are," said Susan McLearan, president of the California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA). "The profession has evolved to the point where we actually can save lives."

In keeping with its mission to raise public awareness about dental health and to promote the value of seeing a dental hygienist, the association has issued the following list of the Top Ten Things Californians Should Know About Their Dental Hygienists.

"The list is intended to show how dental hygienists play such an integral role in overall public health -- in many different ways and on many different levels."

That role is reflected in the following facts about Registered Dental
Hygienists (RDH):

1. Highly Educated Professionals -- The minimum level of education for licensure is equivalent to a four-year degree with two years specializing in dental hygiene.

2. Committed to Expanding Access to Care -- Specially licensed hygienists can go into underserved communities and provide dental hygiene services to some of the millions of Californians who would otherwise have no access to dental care.

3. Screen for Oral Cancer -- Dental hygienists possess the skills to be the first health professional to identify potential signs of oral cancer and refer a patient to a physician.

4. Promote Healthy Nutrition -- Dental hygienists can tell if a patient is eating poorly or is malnourished; they can then offer helpful advice and information.

5. Spot Signs of Eating Disorders -- Also related to nutritional issues, eating disorders can also be recognized in the mouth during a check up.

6. Recognize Signs of Diabetes -- Dental hygienists can alert patients that they might be in danger from diabetes, and refer them to seek confirmation from a medical doctor.

7. Promote Smoking Cessation -- When examining patients who smoke tobacco, dental hygienists often will counsel them to quit and provide resources and information about steps they can take to stop smoking.

8. Prevent Gum and Periodontal Disease -- By cleaning and examining teeth and gums, dental hygienists play a major role in preventing common oral diseases.

9. Understand the Link Between Oral Health and Emotional Health in Children -- Dental hygienists are passionate about promoting good oral health among children, who can often suffer speech impediments, social ridicule, diminished self esteem and other problems related to poor oral health.

10. Represented by CDHA, the Official Voice of Dental Hygiene -- Since CDHA was established 20 years ago, dental hygienists have been making continuous strides toward becoming the skilled, autonomous and essential public health professionals that they are today.

Furthermore, dental hygienists are qualified to detect a wide range of other life-threatening conditions, including high blood pressure and HIV.

"The items on our list really underscore that the mouth is a window into a person's comprehensive health," said CDHA's McLearan. "And because the average person sees a hygienist more often than a physician, it is especially important for people to understand the many facets and benefits of the dental hygiene profession."

The California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA) is the authoritative voice of the state's dental hygiene profession. While registered dental hygienists have worked in the state for nearly a century, CDHA was established 20 years ago when two regional associations merged to form a unified professional group. CDHA represents thousands of dental hygienists throughout the state and is dedicated to expanding opportunities for the
profession and access to care for all Californians.

Source: California Dental Hygienists' Association