Tooth and Consequences : Clinic at Santa Ana’s Roosevelt Elementary School Offers Children Free Dental Care

It was 12-year-old Diana Araujo’s first visit to a dentist, and she was less than thrilled.

Like many of the 250 mostly low-income children who showed up for free dental care offered at a one-day clinic Saturday, Diana had never seen a dentist. The child, it turned out, needed to have a molar removed.

“I’m glad it’s over,” she mumbled later, puffy-eyed from crying. Nevertheless, she said, the experience had not been as bad as she thought it would be.

Four volunteer dentists offered an estimated $25,000 worth of care at the clinic, held at Roosevelt Elementary School, providing fillings and more minor dental work to children from second through fifth grade.

Families began arriving before 7 a.m., half an hour before the clinic opened, volunteers said.

“Parents were happy that we can offer this care for their children,” volunteer Addie Ceja said. “Parents were here since before 7, lined up and waiting to get in.”

Dr. Harris Done, one of the volunteer dentists, has traveled to Central America to provide no-cost dental care for the past 26 years. He said he was surprised how many children in Santa Ana had never seen a dentist.

“The two (areas) are almost identical,” he said, comparing his experiences. “What’s so chilling is to see a piece of Central America in Santa Ana.”

As the children awaited dental work, their parents received instruction on nutrition and good dental habits. All were given toothbrushes to take home to their families.

When the children arrived for their appointments, they were taken into a screening room where a dentist assessed their problems and directed them to one of three areas--numbing, sealants or check-out.

Once in the numbing room, children watched movies and waited until it was their turn for a shot of Novocain. Most children took the shot well, but some began to cry and shake. One child, Isreal Arias, said a prayer.

“The kids have been wonderful,” Done said.

Jennifer Soto, a 9-year-old who had two cavities filled, said she wasn’t nervous about seeing a dentist for the first time.

“I was just crossing my fingers through it,” she said.