“Cha-may weeya ”
Medicine Talk
Siletz
Community
Health
Clinic
TPEP Presents Profiles on Quitting
Tooth Talk
Rose’s Story
by Linda Kreutzer, RDH
by Rose Kunkel
February is Children’s Dental Health Month
I have been smoke-free, tobacco-
free, and nicotine-free for five years. I
smoked for almost 25 years.
What really is odd is that I had no
reason to start smoking. I was 20 years
old when I started. There was no peer
pressure; there was no one to influence
me. My mom and dad didn’t smoke. My
grandmother didn’t smoke, so there was
no reason why I should. I only thought
it would be cool to try and I didn’t stop.
I smoked during the pregnancies of
both of my children. At that time, there
was no data that it was harmful to
unborn children, so I never gave it much
thought. Then on March 17, 1990, my
husband was diagnosed with lung
cancer. He was sick for nine months
before he passed away because of his
smoking. His death certificate even
listed smoking as the cause of his lung
cancer. That still did not deter me.
I quit smoking for about six months
when I was married to my second
husband, but started up again after the
annulment of our marriage. My
daughter was pregnant with her first
child and she quit when she got
pregnant. When she was about due, she
told me I wasn’t going to get to hold
the baby if I continued smoking.
I thought it was an ultimatum and
felt hurt by the remark. What she told
me after that sank in. She told me, “No,
Mom, it’s not an ultimatum. Daddy
doesn’t get to hold the baby because he
is dead.’’ That hit home hard.
I had to have a plan because I knew
I couldn’t quit on my own. I was due to
have complete oral surgery and have all
my teeth pulled. You can’t smoke after
oral surgery. I had the doctor prescribe
Nicoderm patches for me, and right
after surgery, I put a patch on and
haven’t had a cigarette since.
That was the beginning of the rest
of my life. My lungs cleared and my
head didn’t hurt anymore. I stopped
snoring (yes, that was a big relief for
me because I finally got a good night’s
sleep). My clothes didn’t smell any
more. I was able to walk around the
block without being winded.
I’m very grateful to my daughter
for pushing me forward and supporting
me all the time I was getting over my
habit. Thank you, Jenni, for your
support. I love you for it.
Send Your Tobacco Story,
Earn a Prize
The Tobacco Prevention and Education Program wants your story!
This year, the TPEP program is looking for elders, kids and teens, and people
of all ages, anyone who has ever quit smoking or struggled with quitting smoking
to share your story. Many of us have gone through the process of quitting smoking.
It would be a great benefit to have some of those stories shared with the tribal
membership and with our young people.
In your story', talk about how or why you started smoking and w hat happened
that made you want to quit. Why did you quit? When did you quit? How did you
finally quit?
This year, the TPEP program, in exchange for your interview and story, will
give away various items, such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, or fanny packs.
The following rules apply:
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18
You must be over 18, or have a written parental permission slip given to TPEP.
No vulgar language should be used.
Keep the story relatively short - 2 or 3 paragraphs (no more than half a page).
Be willing to have your story and picture published in Siletz News.
Be willing to be interviewed by the TPEP coordinator.
Be willing to allow your story to be edited.
Please include your name, address, and phone number on your story.
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Siletz News
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February 2003
The American Dental Association (ADA) began this national observance in
1949 to help the American public understand that dental care for children is
important. The ADA’s goal is to urge parents to take an active role in ensuring the
health of their children’s teeth by preventing decay. Attitudes and habits established
early are critical in main-taining good oral health for a lifetime.
Children should get their first dental checkup before age 2. This usually is a
quick “look-see’’ kind of appointment and is very stress-free for the child. If
problems are found, the dentist can offer suggestions to keep the decay from
getting worse. The child may be referred to a specialist who sees only children.
It’s good for parents to know if their children’s teeth are off to a healthy start.
Candy and pop should be given to children on a “sometimes’’ basis. Children’s
teeth are more easily decayed than those of their parents. The enamel isn’t as hard
as adult teeth and is weaker to begin with.
It’s important that children brush twice daily, beginning when teeth first appear.
Fluoride helps developing teeth become harder and more resistant to decay. If
fluoride isn’t in drinking water, a dentist can prescribe daily fluoride tablets,
ensuring strong, healthy permanent teeth.
Sealants can be placed in the child’s permanent molars beginning at age 5 or
6. Sealants act as a protectant for the grooves, keeping decay from forming in
these tiny crevices.
Thumb sucking can be a
problem for children, causing
improper growth of the mouth
and tooth misalignment. A
dentist can tell if this is a problem
and can make suggestions to help
control it.
There are many good
reasons why it’s important to
help children get an early start
at good dental health. February
is a great month to be reminded
of that. If you haven’t done so
already, pick up the phone and
make an appointment for your
child at your dental office or
clinic. Children’s Dental Health
Month is a time to celebrate a
healthy, decay- and pain-free
mouth for every child.
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Please include a picture of yourself if possible.
All authors must make arrangements with TPEP to pick up prizes.
Have fun!
Please feel free to call the TPEP program for further information and details
regarding this activity, which will take place through June 2003. So please get
those stories out there so that we can help teach each other and our young people
about the hazards of cigarette smoking and other tobacco products.
Call DeAnna Pearl, Tobacco Prevention and Education coordinator, at
541-444-9661 or 1-800-648-0449, ext. 661, with any questions. Thank you.