Dental Program
Contact: Teresa Alley, Oral Health Coordinator
Phone: (207) 255-3254
Email: talley@sun-rise.org
Since 1976, the Dental Program has focused on prevention of oral health diseases of Washington County children. We offer oral screenings, dental sealants, fluoride varnish, and silver diamine fluoride for children at 25 elementary schools and preschool programs. Annually, 1000 children climb on board our dental truck, the “Tooth Ferry”. Created in 2003, over 20,000 have received preventive services on the truck.
NYU Dental Clinic
It is with a heavy heart that NYU Dentistry and Washington County Children’s Program have decided to postpone the Machias dental outreach program that was scheduled for April 26 – May 2, 2020. We feel it is our duty to keep community members, patients, and dental staff safe and healthy during this very challenging time, doing our part to limit the spread of COVID-19.
We will reschedule the community dental program once the public health situation is more clearly understood and it is deemed safe. While we hope to find the earliest possible time to return, it is likely to be several months from now. In the meantime, we encourage anyone experiencing dental pain or infection to find a local dental provider as soon as possible.
Our partnership with NYU Dentistry provides dental care at no cost for children and adults. The clinic is held annually at the Pellon Center at 90 Main Street in Machias. Call 255-3254 to schedule an appointment for children through age 12. Adults are seen for walk-in care, first come-first serve.
Did you know?
Tooth decay is preventable. Dental sealants are thin coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth, which are prone to tooth decay. Applying sealants in school-based programs is the most cost-effective way to reach children who are at greatest risk of cavities.
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a clear liquid applied with a tiny brush and stops the bacteria that cause cavities and stops the progression of tooth decay. Once applied to the cavity, SDF will stain the decay black in color. The black color shows the cavity has stopped and it is best if SDF is applied three separate times.