From L to R: Nurse Patricia Wyatt, Dr. Talia Moses, Avril Johnson, Lisa Hoang and Principal Rodney Moorehead
On Wednesday, March 16, Principal Rodney Moorhead of John H. Woodson Jr. High School, welcomed Dr. Talia Moses and a team of dental workers from Tooth Works, located in Estate Diamond on St. Croix, to provide free dental screenings for 139 eighth grade students at the school.
Mr. Moorhead explained that the first-time effort was the result of a conversation with Tooth Works' owner, Dr. Olutayo Delano.
"I had a conversation with Dr. Delano and we focused on how we could assist students. Although we focus on academics, we are also concerned about the whole child, and that's why he offered to provide free dental screenings, for which we are very happy," Mr. Moorhead said.
Of her involvement in the day's activity, Dr. Moses remarked, "I'm really happy to be here to provide this preventive service and raise oral health awareness. It's generally my goal to do that for children of all ages. We're here to see if there is anything obvious happening in a child's mouth that may have, so far, gone undetected." She further explained that students receiving dental screenings will be given a free toothbrush and sent home with a letter for their parents containing the results of the screening.
Woodson school nurse, Patricia Wyatt, pointed out that during the week of March 14-18, Cigna representatives visited the school's campus to conducted biometric screenings for teachers. The annual health screenings, which measure physical characteristics such as height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, blood glucose, and aerobic fitness, are a requirement for Virgin Islands Government employees.
"We are concerned about the staff and students," said Mr. Moorhead. "We want to care for their overall wellbeing."
