Siletz news /, March 01, 2001, Page 16, Image 16

“Cha-may weeya”
Medicine Talk
Siletz
Community
Tooth Talk
Tribal Council Approves
Health Benefits
by Linda Kreutzer, RDH
Children’s Cavities Should Not Be Ignored
Baby teeth are important. They
begin forming before birth and are
meant to last until the permanent teeth
appear. Some parents think that because
their children’s teeth will be lost
anyway, what’s the big deal if they
become decayed?
Children need their baby teeth to
stay in good condition so they can eat
and speak properly. Baby teeth hold the
spaces for permanent teeth to come in
correctly. Self-esteem problems can occur
if decay becomes ugly and obvious to
other children. The child will hide his or
her smile and may become withdrawn.
The most important reason for
baby teeth to stay healthy is to avoid
dental pain. Why make a child suffer
with a toothache because of a diet high
in sugar and a lack of dental care? It’s
very important to help children learn to
take care of their baby teeth. This way,
they grow up knowing it’s important to
take care of their “big people” teeth, the
ones that are meant to last a lifetime.
It’s very important to take your
child to the dentist for a check up once a
year beginning at age 3. Well before the
first dental checkup, it’s important to look
inside your child’s mouth. If the front
teeth have whitish or brown spots on
them, or the back teeth appear to have
brown or black lines in the crevices, it’s
important to take your child to the dentist
for a quick “look-see.” Further dental
evaluation may be needed.
It’s good to let your child get used
to coming to the dental office. Never
mention the word “shot,” or that it may
“hurt.” Children do much better when
they come into the dental office without
someone else’s ideas of what may
happen. They do not need a warning.
Keep positive, say something like, “The
tooth doctor needs to look in your
mouth so they can keep your teeth
happy” or “...to fix the one that hurts.”
Keep it simple and brief.
Children really suffer when baby
teeth decay and become abscessed. An
abscess is a puss-filled tooth or gum. It
causes swelling and intense pain. The
infected area can spread into the bone
or even the sinus.
Children feel toothache pain just
like an adult does. It hurts. The
difference is that in a child, a chronic
dental abscess can cause the developing
permanent tooth (under the baby
tooth) to become deformed. It’s
understandable that children will not
want to go to the dentist because they
(or their parents) are fearful. The dentist
will often give antibiotics before the
tooth can be treated.
Sometimes, a child will be given
a pill to relax. The child may be referred
to a specialist who only treats children,
called a pedodontist.
Not taking children to the dentist
for care of a toothache is child neglect.
The state of Oregon in Lincoln County
and Indian Child Welfare in Siletz have
protocols to intervene if parents ignore
children’s dental needs. Lincoln County
schools are required by law to report
dental pain and swelling observed
in children.
Decay of children’s teeth is
serious. It’s important to realize that
most decay is preventable. If it’s too late
and decay is already a problem, get that
child to a dentist as soon as possible.
Get a Better Night’s Sleep
Achieve a better night’s sleep by having a consistent, relaxing routine a few
hours prior to bedtime. The routine needs to help separate you from the pressures
of the day. Here are a few ideas to make your bedtime routine more enjoyable:
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Lounge in a hot tub or bathtub with soaking salts and candles.
Take a slow walk outside; the fresh air will clear your mind.
Drink some herbal tea or warmed milk.
Read a light novel.
Use earplugs or a sound machine if your environment is distracting.
Exchange massages with your partner.
Meditate or do yoga.
Listen to soothing music.
Source: www.emazing.com
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Siletz News
□
March. 2001
Health
Clinic
On Dec. 16, 2000, the Siletz Tribal Council approved a health benefits plan
using up to $200,000 in excess gaming revenue set-aside funds. The package is
intended to assist Siletz Tribal members who live outside the 11-county service
area. The following benefits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis:
1.
2.
Increased maximum pharmacy benefits for tribal members who live outside
the 11-county service area from $400 to $500 per year. This increase became
effective on Jan. 1, 2001. The Contract Health Services program, through a
modification to the Pequot Rx program, will administer this benefit. If you
already have a Pequot card, your maximum benefit will automatically increase.
If you do not have a pharmacy card, you must register with the Health
Department. To obtain an application, send your request to Confederated Tribes
of Siletz Indians, CHS Program, PO Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380. Or you may
call Selina Kissinger, CHS technician I, at 1-800-628-5720.
In addition to the above, effective Feb. 1, 2001, tribal members who live
outside the service area may pick one of the following three service options:
a) Purchase eyeglasses or contact lenses, with an exam, up to $400.
b) Purchase upper and/or lower dentures, with exam, up to a maximum
of $1,200.
c) Purchase a hearing aid, with exam, up to a maximum of $1,400.
The tribe’s Fringe Benefits Department will administer options a, b, and c
on a prior-authorization basis. To pre-authorize your benefits, please call Jack
Boyer or Debbie Williams at 1-800-922-1399, ext. 377 or 277. A committee will
meet weekly to review claims and fund balance. After all first requests are
processed, tribal members may be given the opportunity to access a second of the
three options listed above if funds are available. This will continue until all funds
have been exhausted.
This is an historic first step in the Council’s desire for gaming revenues to
benefit the entire tribal membership.
Cooking for a Healthy Heart
Heart disease used to be something that just happened to us. We could blame
it on heredity, getting older, or any other handy excuse. But these days, we know
better. We know that smoking, lack of activity, and poor food choices multiply
our risk for getting heart disease.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends the following eight
essentials to a heart-healthy diet:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Cut back on fat: Total fat intake should account for less than 30 percent of
your daily calories.
Limit saturated fats: Saturated fats should take up no more than 10 percent of
your daily caloric intake. The easiest way to limit these fats is to cut back on
red meat, butter, and dairy fats.
Limit egg consumption: Because one egg contains almost 300 milligrams of
cholesterol, it’s best to limit egg consumption to twice a week. Cholesterol
intake should be less than 100 milligrams per 1,000 calories, not to exceed
300 milligrams per day.
Don’t be concerned about protein: Protein intake should make up 15 percent
of daily calories. There’s little reason for concern, unless you’re a professional
bodybuilder who requires a higher protein intake.
Crank up those carbs: Carbohydrates should make up 50 percent of your
daily calories, with the emphasis on complex carbs like whole grains, beans,
vegetables, and fruit.
Watch the salt. Sodium intake should not exceed 3 grams per day.
Limit alcohol intake to no more than two beers or two glasses of wine per day.
Eat a varied diet: The wider the variety of your diet, the greater the likelihood
that you’re getting all of the essential nutrients your body needs.
Source: www.topica.com/tipworld