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Taryn Hunt, Registered Dental Hygienist from Northern Counties Health Care and Valerie Lemieux, Nationally Certified School Nurse at Sutton School have teamed up to provide access to dental care at school. 

Taryn Hunt reports that currently NCHC visits 17 schools in  our service area of Orleans, Essex and Caledonia counties with Sutton School being one of them. We provide preventative services which includes, cleaning, x rays, fluoride, silver diamine fluoride treatments, and sealants, to children in need of a dental home.  We visit the school 3 times during the school year to provide these services.  If a child is in need of further dental treatment we work with the families to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists in one of our 3 dental offices (Island Pond, Orleans and Hardwick).

Seventeen Sutton students use the dental services provided by NCHC. Some students participate in Toothbrush Tuesday; students floss, brush, and use a fluoride rinse with Nurse Valerie supervising.  Students are building better dental care skills and are proud of their smiles. 

It has been so rewarding to be a part of reducing decay in the community.  Decay (cavities)  is the leading chronic disease in children!   Seeing the kids routinely has helped with not only reducing decay but also helped with creating positive visits to ensure a less nervous and smiling child when they are finished!  I am seeing kids brushing better and being more aware of the importance their teeth play in their overall health!