Dentist gives students a reason to smile

On Valentine’s Day, doctor offers free services to children

Susan Schell

of the Gateway

Local dentist Michelle Wolfrom sees patients of all ages, but the steady stream flowing through her office last Thursday was strictly of the pint-sized variety.

Wolfrom’s office participated in Pierce County Dental Society’s “Give Kids a Smile” program on Valentine’s Day, giving free dental service to children whose parents normally may not be able to afford it.

“A little boy about 5 years old burst into the office as soon as we opened the door this morning,” Wolfrom said with a laugh as she was seated in her office at lunch time. “He just came in and hopped in the chair. He was so happy to be here.”

Wolfrom and her staff had already seen 14 patients that morning and were anticipating 13 more that afternoon.

This was the first time Wolfrom’s Gig Harbor office, which opened its doors one year ago, had participated in the program.

But the dentist herself is a veteran.

Wolfrom has been familiar with “Give Kids a Smile” for six years since practicing dentistry in St. Louis, where the program began.

“I’ve been in on it right from the beginning,” she said. “To the best of my knowledge, kids are eligible based on their parents’ income. Everybody today got a free cleaning, X-rays, fluoride treatments and sealants, if they wanted them. And if any kid we see today needs fillings, we’ll provide them at a later date. We’ll be committed to treating their dental needs.”

The dentist office got a list of young patients through the Peninsula School District.

“When we called, they said they had a huge waiting list,” Wolfrom said. “I’ve been amazed at how good the kids were. I don’t even know if some of them had ever been to a dentist before.”

Jennifer Bunch, program coordinator for the Pierce County Dental Society, said the office regularly works with school nurses to locate children with dental needs.

“We try to find those kids and take care of them,” she said. “It’s not just an evaluation, we try to handle most problems. Statistically, 25 percent of students that miss school are because of dental pain.”

Wolfrom said she and other office staff enjoyed the all-child patient day.

“It was so much fun with the constant flow of kids,” hygienist Tahlia Riley said. “They were all so excited and enjoyed being here. It was a lot different from a normal day.”

“It was really fun for the staff,” Wolfrom said. “It got us out of our routine. We’d been talking about it for weeks. I absolutely love working with kids.”

Dr. Michelle Wolfrom, Family Dentistry

5122 Olympic Dr. NE, Ste. B201 in Gig Harbor, 851-8151.

Reach reporter Susan Schell at 253-853-9240 or by e-mail at susan.schell@gateline.com.