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“If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know it’s one of the most annoying pains imaginable.”
— Dr. Ida Kornerup
14 LEGACY IN ACTION
development of Edmonton’s children, which Kornerup says can be seriously impacted when dental health concerns aren’t addressed in short order.
“It can be cyclical. If [kids] are experiencing pain, then they’re not eating as well. They can become malnourished. That can lead to other problems, too. Problems like stunted growth, lower brain development, abscesses and infections,” Kornerup says.
Not all of those potential outcomes can be prevented with just a simple fluoride-and-floss routine. Many of those the program helps are suffering from more than minor cavities. That’s why the program offers truly comprehensive care.
“Radiographs, exams, treatment plans,” Kornerup says. “We provide everything from root canals to fillings to extractions, education and oral health training. The only thing we don’t do is braces.”
That can make a big difference in the lives of those who are struggling to access dental care, which, as Kornerup points out, can be a difficult task for more than just monetary reasons.
“It’s not always an economic issue that can inhibit a child’s access to outside dental care,” she says. “There are issues of transportation, childcare concerns, conflicting work schedules. There are a lot of barriers against the treatment of pediatric dentistry that make programs like this one important.”
And it’s not just physical health that depends on the work Kornerup and her students provide. Proper oral health can have big impacts on academic performance and even social development in kids and youth.
“If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know it’s one of the most annoying pains imaginable,” Kornerup says. “You can’t function. When you’re a kid dealing with this, you can have trouble paying attention. That can lead to poor performance at school and even social issues with peers.”
As an educator, Stelmaschuk has seen students struggle to manage both health concerns and academics and the benefits of the care the program provides are evident to her.
“When students are coming to school and experiencing pain from dental issues, this program gives them that relief and comfort so they can focus on other things confidently and more comfortably,” she says.
And that outcome is something worth smiling about.