We're nearing an end to National Children's Dental Health Month.
With that in mind, local dentists and Fidelis Care are encouraging parents to make sure their children receive regular dental attention. Doctor Jordan Glenn of Tier Family Dental on Riverside Drive in Binghamton advises parents that it's a good idea to get kids to the dentist as early as one year-old. His practice also goes into schools to educate kids about the importance of proper dental care.
Jordan Glenn says, "Cavities are the number one reason that kids miss school. People don't often think of a cavity as a bacterial infection or process but that's indeed what it is. So having that understood through parents, through kids, the more they get their kids into the dentist the better their oral health and general health is going to be long term."
Tom Julian with Fidelis Care wants parents to know that taking their kids is affordable. Fidelis has a number of programs for families who are in challenging financial situations.
Tom Julian says, "They can call us. We will arrange to have somebody meet with them in their homes if they prefer, or wherever else they feel comfortable. We will help them apply if they're qualified. But, every child in New York State does qualify for something, whether it's Child Health Plus or managed Medicaid, it's just a question of what their contribution would be. And, for Child Health Plus it could be as low as no dollars."
For more information or to apply for one of Fidelis' programs, log onto
fideliscare.org. Or call 1-888-FIDELIS.