by Lisa Platt for The News-Review
Mercy Foundation’s Healthy Kids Outreach Program (HKOP) serves Douglas County youth by providing oral health care and education, resource nurses and connection to care, and health and nutrition education throughout the school year.
Since 2006, health resource registered nurses have been a constant presence in the schools, providing health and hygiene education with a series of fun, interactive activities for youth. Topics include hygiene, physical activity and cold and flu prevention.
In partnership with OSU Extension Services SNAP Education, nutrition classes include Food Hero and Kids in the Kitchen — a hands-on experience where students learn to make healthy recipes. Nurses also discuss tobacco prevention and building healthy relationships.
Healthy Kids Outreach Program’s dental program was launched in 2011 to provide free school based dental clinics where students are seen by a hygienist and dental assistant who assess their oral health and provide fluoride varnish and sealants.
Students receive an oral hygiene kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss. If there is an urgent need for follow-up care, we assist with connection to a dental home.
Our interactive Dental Learning Lab reinforces healthy dental health habits through hands-on education. Age-appropriate topics range from basic oral health care and the effects of poor nutrition and tobacco use on teeth to caring for orthodontics and the effects of oral piercings. In addition for grades 11 and 12, the opportunity to learn about potential dental careers
Preventative health and wellness services are a powerful tool to help youth build life-long health habits. This is one reason why Mercy Foundation is excited to expand the positive benefits of Healthy Kids Outreach Program by working in partnership with Advantage by DentaQuest, Douglas Education Service District, Evergreen Family Medicine, Cow Creek Health and Wellness and OSU Extension Services to offer services throughout the school year and the summer.
For more information about the summer activities or interest in having one of our programs at your organization please visit our website at mercygiving.org or contact Mercy Foundation at 541-677-4818.
Lisa Platt is the executive director of the CHI Mercy Foundation.
