Meet Our Dental Superstar Ivanna!
Ivanna is an aspiring dentist who has been the force behind our biweekly dental classes for children.
This week we would like to introduce you to a key member of our Mexican team, Ivanna. Ivanna has been the force behind our biweekly dental classes, teaching kids the basics of teeth brushing, oral hygiene and activities to help them understand the importance of good dental health. Her warm and engaging presence is a magnet for these children, many of whom have never been taught how to care for their teeth.
Ivanna uses a dental model to teach a young student how to brush her front upper teeth.
Ivanna is an aspiring dentist who recently graduated highschool and will soon be studying dentistry. Ivanna works at a dental office one-day a week and also works with MdC to get hands-on practicum of her future dream job. She really enjoys teaching the children and watching when they learn how to brush their teeth for the first time and then when they start teaching the other kids how to brush.
Top and bottom: For many of these children, Ivanna’s class is the first time they are learning dental hygiene.
During a typical dental class, Ivanna takes the kids through the correct steps of how to brush their teeth, starting with how to hold a toothbrush. Then she shows them how to put toothpaste on it and how much to use. Next, she demonstrates how to brush - up and down motion for the front teeth, and then circular motion for the molars.
The children also learn to brush their tongue, an important but neglected part of oral hygiene.
Ivanna keeps things interactive and fun. Recently she started reversing the roles in class so that the kids took turns being the teacher and she became the student. The glee on the children’s faces as they showed Ivanna how “you must do circles on the molars” was priceless.
Ivanna also uses discoloration tablets with the kids. These turn their teeth red to show where plaque is present and teaches kids to brush more thoroughly.
“We all grow up going to the dentist and learning about dental hygiene,” Ivanna says. “But the first time I met these children, I saw that they don’t even know how to hold a toothbrush. It made me think of how so much of what is normal for us - like going to the supermarket, or to the movies - we take for granted. For these children, taking care of their teeth is such a new thing.”
Discoloration tablets turned this boy’s teeth and entire tongue pink.
The kids put so much effort into brushing their teeth as they are learning.
In the community that we serve, 50% of adults and 67.3% of children have at least one cavity. During our first medical and dental fair, we learned that it was the first dental examination for an overwhelming number of participants. This is not surprising considering that poor dental hygiene is closely linked to poverty. Many of the families we know have to make difficult choices about how to spend their meager income. A trip to the dentist is not high on the priority list.
MdC provides free toothbrushes and toothpaste to the communities that we serve.
Left and right: Many of the children we met had never used a toothbrush before and had to be taught how to even hold it.
For the future of these teeth, it is critical that we continue to teach the importance of brushing. In addition to Ivanna’s twice a week brushing exercises, we are hosting twice a year health fairs where families will receive dental check-ups. Our next fair is November 20, 21 and 22 and we will be administering Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) to help stop their current tooth decay. We are tracking their medical record and can use that history to help continuing to educate in all areas of their health.
Between putting food on the table, paying bills, and keeping a roof over their heads, most families would never think of making a trip to the dentist.
Whenever a child tells Ivanna that they have eaten candy that day, Ivanna reminds them of why they need to brush their teeth.
“I tell them that if they don’t brush their teeth, they will get cavities. They ask me ‘what is that?’ I tell them that it is holes in your teeth. And that it will cause pain. They ask me, ‘so I must brush my teeth? In circular motion?’ And I say yes.”
During our bi-weekly dental classes, Ivanna teaches children how to not only brush but also floss their teeth.
Ivana: “So much of what is normal for us - we take for granted. But for these children, taking care of their teeth is such a new thing.”
Many of the children are eager to declare their commitment to a dental regime. However, few return to class the next week saying they have been dutifully brushing their teeth. Their honesty is endearing but heartbreaking. Without reinforcement, habits are difficult to form.
Ivanna enjoys watching the faces of children as they learn to brush and floss their teeth
A young participant takes a break from flossing to flash a shy smile.
“I’m going to start giving calendars and star stickers,” Ivanna says. “And if a kid brushes their teeth after breakfast they are going to get a star. And at the next class the kids are going to get gifts if they are brushing their teeth well.”
The team is also thinking of more strategies to help the children take it seriously. For example, many children lose their toothbrush and tubes of toothpaste simply because they do not have designated holders or space in their homes for their belongings. One idea is to give children cups that they can personalize with stickers and use as toothbrush and toothpaste holders.
Without reinforcement, these children will never develop the habits of good oral hygiene.
A young girl practices her flossing.
Jean conducts her own dental exam to ensure children are brushing correctly.
Despite the setbacks, the kids are learning. Not only are the kids now teaching Ivanna, they are teaching the new kids that show up for the classes.
“At the last class, some of them were new and I had to explain all over again. But one kid was teaching the others how to do it using the model. I was watching him and he was doing it right. So I didn’t need to explain to the new kid. That’s perfect for me. He knows how to do it and I’m going to let him teach it!”
At our last dental class, this young participant began to “teach” Ivanna how to brush correctly using her dental model.
“I like working with MdC,” says Ivanna. “It makes me feel like I’m going to be a good dentist.”
For our upcoming medical and dental fair, Ivanna is going to be a dental assistant to one of our visiting dentists. We know that her familiar face will be a welcome sight to children arriving for their dental checkups, many of whom are scared to see a dentist.
Young patients wait for their dental examination at our last medical and dental fair.
Above: Dr. Joe conducts a dental examination for a young patient.
Above and below: MdC’s goal is to reduce tooth decay among children in the communities we serve.
No matter what the future holds for Ivanna, we know it will be a bright one. Thank you Ivanna for making a difference in the lives of so many young ones!
Ivanna: “I like working with MdC. It makes me feel like I’m going to be a good dentist.”
To learn more about our upcoming medical and dental fair, visit our Medical And Dental Fair Page.
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Eunice Wong is MdC’s blog content manager and storyteller (only true stories allowed). When not writing for MdC, she does music therapy, travel blogging, and other fun things.