Columbia Memorial Hospital's Mobile Dental Services unit visited Taconic Hills Elementary School during December and January this school year. The dental unit visits elementary schools in Columbia and Greene Counties providing oral care for all participating children. This year 125 Taconic Hills Elementary Students participated in the program with the consent of their parents. Children can receive an exam, digital x-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and if necessary, fillings and simple extractions by Columbia Memorial Hospital's licensed dentist and hygienist.
Dental assistant, Erin Clayton, Dental Hygienist, Denise Hess and Tara Sarfraz, DDS, worked very hard to complete a successful program, despite the many snow days encountered during December and January. Taconic Hills Elementary staff also took time from their busy schedules to collect parental consent forms and walk the children to and from dental appointments. The program has since moved to Greene County and is now at Catskill Elementary School but will be back in Columbia County in May to provide dental services to New Lebanon Elementary School students.
Follow up care is available for children during the summer months when the mobile dental unit is at the hospital, parked near the emergency room entrance. Parents can make appointments for their children from June - August by calling the dental program at (518) 697-7892.
Funding for the Taconic Hills Elementary School Program is provided in part by the Foundation for Community Health in Sharon CT, and the NYS'
Bureau of Dental Health.
