Salimatta Yahuja, dental non-commissioned officer, Capt. Adam Fraiman, general dentist, and Mindy Bolin, dental hygienist, pose with educational materials during the Child and Youth Services Interactive Community Health Fair at the Middle School and Teen Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana, Feb. 20. The team promoted preventive dental care and early oral health habits in recognition of Children’s Dental Health Month.
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Sergeant Salimatta Yahuja, dental non-commissioned officer, Capt. Adam Fraiman, general dentist, and Mindy Bolin, dental hygienist, teach children about proper brushing techniques and how certain foods affect overall dental health during a Children and Youth Services interactive community health fair Feb. 20 at the Middle School and Teen Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana. The event provided an opportunity to promote prevention and lifelong dental readiness.
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Mindy Bolin, dental hygienist, demonstrates proper brushing techniques using a dental model for children during the Child and Youth Services Interactive Community Health Fair on Feb. 20 at the Middle School and Teen Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana. Civilian and military dental professionals provided practical education focusing on building healthy oral hygiene habits early in life.
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Fort Polk, La. – Civilian and military dental professionals from Fort Polk engaged families during the Child and Youth Services interactive community health fair Feb. 20 at the Middle School and Teen Center, providing education and hands-on demonstrations focused on building healthy oral hygiene habits throughout life.
Even though pediatric dental services are not provided on post, the team used the event, held during National Children’s Dental Health Month, as an opportunity to promote prevention, awareness and lifelong dental preparedness in the military community.
“Brushing should be started as soon as a child’s first tooth appears,” said Sargent. Miranda King, dental assistant. “Children respond best to routine. The earlier healthy habits are started, the more common they will become.”
Captain Adam E. Fryman, general dentist, highlighted the key milestones parents should monitor as children grow.
“At about six months, the lower front teeth begin to erupt,” Freiman said. “By age 6, children begin to get their first permanent molars. Those adult teeth will stay with them throughout their lives, so oral hygiene should be emphasized early on.”
Fraiman encourages parents to schedule dental visits early in life to help children become comfortable in the dental environment and remain active between appointments by noticing lesions, discoloration or changes in the mouth.
They emphasized simple at-home practices, like brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, limiting sugary snacks and beverages, and avoiding bottles at bedtime.
Col. Suzanne Jones, deputy commander of dental services for Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, said outreach programs like the CYS Health Fair reinforce the importance of prevention as the foundation of long-term health and force readiness.
“Dental preparation starts at home,” Jones said. “When families understand the importance of early brushing habits, regular checkups and healthy nutrition, they are setting their children up for a lifetime of strong oral health.”
Jones emphasized that education and awareness remain essential components of the dental team’s mission.
“Prevention is a force multiplier,” she said. “Healthy families contribute to a medically ready force, and initiatives like this allow us to strengthen our community through education and engagement.”
By promoting preventive health practices and early intervention, Fort Polk’s dental professionals support the Army’s commitment to maintaining a ready force and strengthening the resiliency of Soldiers and families.
