Dental program makes impact on Superior youth

Since 2007, the Just Kids Dental Health program has brightened smiles of students in the Superior school district. At the same time, students have learned a trip to the dentist’s chair is nothing to dread.

Stacey Anderson and other members of the Just Kids Dental Health program spoke to the Superior School Board at Monday’s committee of the whole meeting. Just Kids Dental Health provides oral health education, cleanings and other dental work to children who may not otherwise have access to dental care.

Anderson, founder of the program, updated board members on program’s accomplishments and sought to renew its contract with the district for the coming school year.

“We are very fortunate to be a part of this district and provide services to your children,” Anderson said.

Just Kids Dental Health provides its services at no cost to the district and serves students in all six district elementary schools and Superior Middle School.

In the three years the program has partnered with the district, Just Kids Dental Health has made 3,272 dental visits and applied 8,178 sealants to the teeth of Superior students. The total value of the work done would equate to $721,398 in a private dental office.

Local dentists have also reaped the benefits of Just Kids’ work. Anderson said the program received a letter of support from the Northern Wisconsin Dental Society, and she’s heard from dentists who have noticed less fear from their young patients.

In other news, the Superior School Board took a moment to appreciate the small savings it has squeezed out of its budget.

The installation of 15 new Espar heaters on district school buses should save thousands each year. The heaters reduce the time needed to start up and heat buses while lowering the vehicles’ carbon output.

The information technology department will also contribute to savings in the coming years. The department is in the process of upgrading the district’s local area networks, replacing current equipment with HP equipment to increase the district’s bandwidth to one gigabit. The upgrade is expected to trim about $30,000 a year from maintenance costs.

“We always like to see financial savings,” said board member John Hendricks.

The Superior school district is seeking an LPN or RN to fill a full-time health assistant position at Great Lakes Elementary School. Nancy Smith, health services director, said she hopes to see the position filled as soon as possible. Applications may be sent to the district office.

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