City of Stamford Department of Health-Dental Division: Stamford Public Schools
Introduction
A total of four dental hygienists and two dentists work for the Stamford Public School dental hygiene program. The program consists of 6 dental clinics located at Cloonan Middle School, Rogers International School, Stillmeadow Elementary School, Toquam Magnet School, KT Murphy Elementary School, and Rippowam Middle School. All other elementary and middle schools count with a reclinable chair, a light, and portable dental equipment destined to perform dental screenings and sealants. The dental clinics located at KT Murphy and Rippowam schools also serve as dental clinic used for dental procedures performed by the dentists, who see children once a week from all Stamford Public School district. The dental hygienists perform dental screenings and sealants in all Stamford elementary and middle schools.
I chose this site because I was seeking an opportunity for a public health setting that allows me to observe both dental hygienists and dentists. Furthermore, I also wanted to have the experience of working with children and their family. Many of these families are Spanish speakers; thus, this site was an opportunity to help and facilitate communication between the dental team and the children family. I wanted to have a better understanding of how the program work. Currently, there are only 4 hygienists working in the program. Their ability to manage time, stay organized, and be able to see all these children is amazing.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Health Dental Division is to promote general wellness and optimal oral health by applying the principles and practices of preventive dentistry to school and community programs in support of child, adult and community health. The Dental Hygiene Program strives to prevent oral disease in children and identifies those who do not appear to have sufficient access to adequate, quality oral health care. The Public Health Dental Hygienists create an awareness of the importance of preventive health care measures and provide proactive preventive dental health services and programs.
Goal:
Increase the number of Stamford school children receiving preventive and treatment dental services.
Daily Internship Program
May 13, 2019 (2.5 hours)
My first day in the Stamford public school dental program was pretty busy. I met with my mentor in Rippowam Middle School, where one of the six dental clinics are located. I was able to observed and assist in management of an emergency office visit. After finishing in Rippowam, we then proceed to Cloonan Middle School, students were rechecked to see if they followed up with the referrals. Finally, we went to Hart Magnet Elementary School, where another hygienist was waiting for us to start sealants treatments on second graders. My job was to observe and assist with paperwork.
May 14, 2019 (5 hours)
On my second day of internship, my mentor and I met in Cloonan Middle school where I assisted in collection and documentation of screening data, then we traveled to Hart Magnet Elementary School and observed sealant program. Our last stop was in KT Murphy Elementary School, where I assisted in clinic management; calling parents who only speak Spanish, making appointments, and organizing paperwork.
May 20, 2019 (5 hours)
Rogers International School dental clinic
On Monday, May 20 I met one of the dental hygienists working for the program at Rogers International School. We overviewed the program, I assisted entering data from student rechecks, assist filing, entered SEALS data, which is the data entered at the CDC site. Finally, we reviewed the Ascend Dentrix program that manages the clinic part of the program performed by the 2 dentists who work in the schools also.
May 24, 2019 (5 hours)
Fridays at KT Murphy Elementary School are designated for clinic days. KT Murphy School has one of the 6 clinics located in the Stamford School. The dentist sees children from all the schools including KT Murphy, some of the treatments she performs are Restorative, Pulpotomy, and dental extractions. Children seen Fridays by the dentist are scheduled ahead of time, they are excused from their school, and are taken by their parents or guardian. On Friday, May 24 I assisted in clinic reception, I provided patient education, I was able to interpret for Spanish speaking families.
May 29, 2019 (3 hours)
On Wednesday, May 29th I met with my mentor at Rippowam Middle School. No students were seen that day, but I assisted with rescheduling appointments, calling parents, and spreadsheet data entry for Husky insurance.
May 30, 2019 (5 hours)
Rogers International school dental clinic 
Rogers International School
On Thursday, May 30th I went back to Rogers International School. I assisted during student rechecks, data entry on SNAP, which is web-based software for nurses, however, dental hygiene was also included to simplify the health clinic management for students. I also assisted in entering data for Husky insurance.
May 31, 2019 (6 hour
KT Murphy Elementary School Clinic
Friday, May 31th was a clinic day at KT Murphy Elementary School. I assisted in entry data for Husky insurance, greeting the children and their caregivers, and in clinic management.
June 4, 2019 (4 hours)
Westover Magnet School at the new location 
Davenport dental hygiene clinic (chair and portable unit)
On Tuesday, June 4th I observed sealant placement at Westover Magnet Elementary School. This particular school was relocated to an alternative location due to mold problems. The school relocation and the delay of the start of the sealant program did not stop the dental hygienists from achieving the necessary care for the children in this school. The dental hygienists were able to find a small but efficient area and perform all dental screenings and dental sealants for the students of Westover School. June 4th was the last day at Westover School, thus, I assisted the dental hygienists to move and transport the portable clinic. We then met at Davenport Elementary School where I assisted filings and compiling school sealant annual report.
June 11, 2019 (5 hours)
Today I visited Northeast School. This school has a small dental hygienist office but spacious enough to fit the chair, a portable unit, and a light. During my visit, I observed and assisted the hygienist with check-ups, where the hygienists examine if the children with referrals followed up with the dentists. I also assisted with data entry on SNAP and SEALS for the CDC.
June 14, 2019 (3 hours)
Friday I met with my mentor at KT Murphy School. I assisted with confirming appointments, making new appointments, treatment entry, SEALS entry for the CDC, and patient education. Lastly, I interviewed my mentor.
June 18, 2019 (4 hours)
On Tuesday, June 18th I went to Rippowam Middle school. I continued entering the SEALS data to the CDC website for 2 of the school. Lastly, I assisted my mentor, confirming appointments and clinical management.
June 21, 2019 (4 hours)
My last day in my intership site was in Rippowam Middle School. I assisted in clinic management, finishing data entry, and provided patient education.
