Dental School gives migrant kids free treatment

Graduate students at the University's School of Dental Medicine had an unexpected visit yesterday when about 25 children of migrant workers arrived for the first dental screening of their lives. Although the free visit was scheduled as part of the Dental School's ongoing community service program, the students were kept in the dark so that the children's arrival would be a pleasant surprise. Once in the building, the children squirmed playfully in the big blue dental chairs as dental students examined their small teeth. The real problem the students dealt with was not the children's teeth, according to Associate Dean of the Dental School Herman Segal, but the language barrier they faced. The parents of the children spoke only Spanish. There was an interpreter from Headstart Rural Opportunities Inc., however, to bridge the communication gap. After examining the children, the students realized that many needed dental work. Segal said some of the children were suffering from baby bottle syndrome, a condition which is caused by babies going to bed with bottles and which causes decay. "It's marvelous, it's incredible," Segal said. "Many of them are in dire need of care. We'll do anything within our power to help. "Kids are a lot of fun to work with and it's so much fun to see the children," he added. "The reaction from the parents is great, too." But Segal stressed that the free dental care was just one of many community service programs the Dental School sponsors. Clinical Director of Pediatric Dentistry Howard Rosenberg said some of the children will need special care after their first visit. He added that the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia could be a possible sight for further care. And Rosenberg said the free dental care was great not only for the children and their parents, but for the University as well. "It's a win-win situation," Rosenberg said. "Our students win through exposure, through experience in the dental realm and it's a win situation for the children and their families and the University." Clinical Associate of Pediatric Dentistry Stan Brown -- called an "unheralded" champion of community service by Segal -- said it is a travesty that government does not provide dental care to migrant workers. "This is ridiculous that we have to do this," Brown said. "These poor kids have to fight to get dentistry." Andrew Rudnicki, a dental student, said that free screening was a good idea. "I guess this will continue and it should," Rudnicki said. "They [the children] need the work." But after three hours, the migrant workers and their children were brought back by the University to Coatesville, Pa. The workers make their living picking mushrooms.