Attending the recent observance
of National School Nurse Day. I
couldn't help but think of how much
work goes into fulfilling the many
duties of the nurses employed bv the
Public Schools of Robeson County. I
suspect too that most people, likewise.
do not have any idea as to how
much attention these people direct
towards the health and well being of
our some 24,000 students. I might add.
also, that the 12 nurses w e have substantially
fewer than the number the
state feels we should have. While the
state suggests that systems should
employe I nurse for every 750 students,
they are cutTemly providing us
only enough funds to employ the 12
we have rather than the 25 or so it feels
we should have. Hopefully, it will provide
the necessary funding sometimes
in the near future.
In the meantime, our nurses perform
a tremendous amount of work. It
all starts when the child is in kindergar
?
ten and first grade when the nurses
conduct a health record review They
check to make certain that the proper
shots have been given and do a health
assessment. IF deficiencies are spotted.
ongoing evaluations are
conducted as needed. Problems are
reported to parents. Nurses coordinate
the 6th grade hepatitis B
vaccination program. They conduct
visual screening at the beginning of
the school year, dental screening in
February and hearing screening October.
It's obvious that problems in any
of those three areas would adversely
affect a child's ability to learn. The
child who. for example, has difficulty
seeing or hearing properly isn't likely
going to find it easy to keep up with
what's going on with what's being
taught in class. It's important too for
the child to be comfortable physically
in order to be able to concentrate.
Since school nurses, in most cases.
are unable to spend an entire day in
one of their assigned schools, teachers
are provided with Student Health
Referral Forms which they use to inform
their nurse of particular problems
which they have observed in their
student. The teacher is provided with
a guide listing about a hundred different
signs of problems they may notice
in some of their students. Thus the
nurses are able to utilize the time they
have at that school more productively.
It's important to note that our nurses
are in frequent and continuous contact
with local health care providers as
well as with doctors at Duke and Chapel
Hill in order to stay updated regarding
the care of our students.
A couple of other things I should
mention with regard to our nurses'
involvement with the health of our
school system. They also coordinate
with other of our ongoing programs
and projects and offer formal in-service
education for our employees.
It's obvious, then, just how much
'our school nurses mean to everyone
associated with the school system.
Our hats are off to them for their dedication.
All great art is the work of the
whole living creature, body and
soul, and chiefly of the soul.
?John Ruskin
I Pediatric Pointers I
by Dr. Joey Bell, Pembroke Pediatrics
Man> people have experienced the =
fear of sitting in the dentist's chair
awaiting the noisy drill to repair
diseased teeth. Those who do not
care for their teeth at all will eventually
lose them and without teeth
one will have difficulty chewing
food, speaking clearly and smiling
w ith confidence. Through preventive
dental care, tooth decay and
gum disease can be avoided along
with the expensive treatment
needed for repair. Prevention is
simple and should start at birth.
After every feeding, wipe the
baby's gums with a damp cloth to
remove plaque. Avoid feeding for
a prolonged period of time and
most importantly do not give the
baby a bottle during naps and bedtime.
Prolonged exposure to sugary
liquids causes baby bottle tooth
decay and costly future dental
problems. If your child needs a
bottle as a pacifier, use water as a
substitute. Start weaning your children
from their bottle around
twelve months of age and end
bottle use by fifteen months of age
or as soon as he or she can hold a
cup.
Baby teeth may break through as
: early as four months of age which J
begins the process of brushing teeth
with fluoride toothpaste and a soft
toothbrush. If your if child is still
breast feeding after six months
your doctor may prescribe fluoride
drops or tablets, especially if your
water source is from a non-fluoridated
well. Fluoride makes the
tooth surface more resistant to decay
and promotes reminerali?ation.
Public water supplies and soft
drinks usually contain a sufficient
amount of fluoride. Consult your
physician before taking fluoride
supplements because excessive
fluoride intake can cause dental
fluorosis, a discoloring of the
enamel.
Brushing and flossing are the most
important weapons against plaque
formation, the film of bacteria and
mucus that causes cavities. Tartar
accumulates on your teeth when the
plaque is hardened. Bacteria in
plaque produce acids and toxins
which decay teeth and cause gum
disease. To remove the plaque,
brush in a circular motion twice a
day for at least five minutes using
a soft brush and replace when it
becomes worn. In addition, floss
with waxed or unwaxed floss once
a day to remove the plaque a toothbrush
can not clean. Simply slip the
floss between your teeth and saw
back and forth around each tooth
Children under the age of five
mostly likely do not have the dexterity
io effectively brush their teeth
and will need daily assistance. Encourage
your child to brush their
own teeth, but make sure to finish
the job.
Regular dental visits are another
must in caring for you teeth. The
American Academy of Pediatric
Dentistry recommends initial
evaluation by twelve months of age
Teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist
if recommended twice a year.
Your dentist may apply a sealant,
slippery plastic material, on newly
formed permanent teeth to reduce
cavities and tooth decay. Contact
your insurance company regarding
coverage on dental visits or the
county health department for assistance.
Preventing tooth decay is easy.
With the help of your dentist, take
responsibility to care foryour teeth
with regular flossing and brushing
with fluoride toothpaste. All of this
will help avoid the torment and
expense of teeth fillings or teeth
extractions. Early exam and preventive
care will protect your smile
today and in the future.
To Pbue tyoui rfd la
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113 South llowe Street
Southport. NC 28461
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Herman Chavis, M.D. * Kenneth E. Locklear, M.D.
Myra D. Hall, M.D. * Rajesh Sakala, M.D.
Barbara Graham, PAC
1002-C East 4th Avenue Red Springs NC 21377
Telephone 842-3311
OFFICE HOURS -Monday thur Friday
8:00 am until 5:00 pm
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Maria M. Trejo FAX: 910-671-0190
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Work: 738-5530 Home: 739-1314
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431 N. Elm Street
Lumberton, NC 28358
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410-D South Jones Street, Pembroke
910-521-4462
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Herman Chavia, M.D. William Sanderson, M.D.
Kenneth E. Lockiear, M.D. Arnold Kinley, P.A.
15 West 3rd Street
Parkton, North Carolina 28371
Telephone 858-3913
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
8 a m. - 5 p.m * Thursday 8 am -1 pm