The Alliance for Community Transformations AmeriCorps VISTA, Nevin Lessard, has been working closely with the Bennington Oral Health Coalition (BOHC) since coming to town back in early August of this year. The main focus of this work has been implementing school wide oral health screenings at Mount Anthony Union Middle School (MAUMS). After months of preparation, outreach to parents and collaboration with the middle school staff, these screenings finally began on October 1st. The screenings, being performed by registered dental hygienist Marylou Chicote, are intended to gain a better understanding of the current need for dental care in the middle school population in Bennington. Besides raising awareness for the importance of good oral health, identifying students who are in need of immediate care and getting them to a dentist for treatment, as well as finding permanent dentists for students who may not already have one are goals of the goals of the screening program.
In addition to helping complete the screening process, Nevin has been involved in a number of other events such as the MAUMS parent open house and a recent Williams College health fair to promote the work of the BOHC.
More information about the Bennington Oral Health Coalition can be found at their website: benningtonoralhealth.com