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The 86th Dental Squadron will host a Saturday walk-in clinic for children up to age 10 from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Ramstein Dental Clinic, Bldg 301.
Services will include well-baby exams (up to age 4), dental examinations and cleaning (ages 5 to 10) and custom mouth guards for contact sports. Oral hygiene education stations will also be set up. Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis. For details, call Tech. Sgt. Lisan Burney at 479-2210 or 06371-46-2210.
To give your dental health a boost, here is some important information about the use of fluoride from Capt. J S. A. DeMeo, 86th Dental Squadron dentist:
The dentist has likely been telling you and your family about the need to use fluoride but most people may not understand what fluoride is and how it is beneficial.
Fluoride works by incorporating into the crystal structure of tooth enamel making it more resistant to demineralization and enabling it to re-mineralize when affected by bacteria. Fluoride also inhibits bacterial acid production which decreases your chance for getting cavities.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named water fluoridation as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.” Fluoride is provided to a family through multiple sources including the water supply, foods processed with fluoridated water, toothpaste, mouthwash, and supplements.
It is important to know how much fluoride is in your community water supply in order to understand if your family needs any additional fluoride exposure.
Although most stateside bases have fluoridated drinking water, not all installations in the KMC are currently fluoridated.
The water is fluoridated on Ramstein Air Base and is kept within an acceptable range. Currently the water on Sembach and Vogelweh does not contain fluoride.
If you are stationed at any other installation within the KMC contact your local water treatment facility or civil engineering squadron to find out the status of your water. In addition, the off-base local German water supply does not contain fluoride.
If you currently do not have fluoridated drinking water in your location, the Pediatric Dentistry department at the 86th Dental Squadron does not recommend the use of oral tablet or drop supplementation. Both of these methods have been linked to an increased risk for dental fluorosis. Fluorosis can only occur when teeth are developing so older children and adults are not at risk for the condition. Esthetic concerns with fluorosis can be fixed with simple restorative procedures.
If you would like specific fluoride recommendations for you and your family, please visit the 86th Dental Squadron for a personalized assessment of your oral health and your risk for dental cavities. Don’t take your teeth for granted. Protect your smile by using fluoride on a daily basis.
To determine the amount of fluoride in your water supply (US Territories only) go to: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/Index.asp or www.mndental.org/features/2010/06/24/221 /right_from_the_start_a_new_initiative_for_childrens_oral_health_part_two_60000_babies or www.ada.org.
(Article contributions by Col. John W. Kersey, Capt. Erik Anderson and Capt. Paulencia Morris)
