The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

THE students of Albania Christian Academy were encouraged to establish good oral hygiene early on by a local dentist in observance of National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Mindful of the fact that attitudes and habits established at an early age are critical in maintaining good oral health throughout life, veteran dental professional Dr Joyous Pickstock, managing director of the Faith Dental Centre, again involved her entire dental practice for one day to teach youngsters the value of regular dentist visits.

The goal is to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, caregivers, teachers, parents and others.

Dr Pickstock and staff provided free dental screenings and cleanings, tours of the Faith Dental Centre, introductions to the dental office and dental chair, demonstrations on effective brushing, flossing, rinsing and discussed the importance of eating healthy, non-sugary snacks.

As in previous years, Dr Pickstock focused on Albania Christian Academy, a pre-school in New Providence, which has operated near to her dental practice since 1994, and is led by Dr Albert Ferguson.

The annual programme is a long-standing community outreach initiative by Dr Pickstock, who has addressed parents in Albania PTA meetings and stands at the ready to address other PTA meetings in the community. She said she has a life-long conviction that the Bahamas’ future is dependent on the good health of the nation’s families.

“We call Dr Pickstock our adopted parent because she has had a 15-year relationship with the school. Every year she has this programme where she provides free cleanings and screenings to the children of our school,” Dr Ferguson said.

“She is very good with children. She speaks with them as a group and individually while they are in her chair. She gives them information about how they should care for their teeth and other information on dental health and it is very effective. We are just very happy about this relationship and we are happy about her community mindedness, because to be doing this for such a long period of time that speaks clearly about a person’s consciousness as a business.”

While National Children Dental Health Month is a programme of the American Dental Association, Dr Pickstock adopted the annual campaign during the month of February as a part of her annual operations, her affiliation with various associations in the US and due to her standing as a family dentist.

February’s annual field trip to the dentist and to Faith Dental Centre, remains a highlight among field trips during the year at Albania Christian Academy.