More than an hour later when the family left, Ron and Cheryl Burkhalter were even more excited when they learned their children had no cavities. Cavities have always been a childhood ritual, and the incidence of cavities is keeping many dentists busy. The academy encourages routine dental care to help prevent and maintain healthy teeth. But with children who quiver and scream at the site of a tooth explorer or a dentist, parents can have a tough time hauling their kids twice a year to the dentist. Each Burkhalter child was marched into the exam room where four dental chairs face a train mural painted on the wall.
Stuffed animals peak around corners, and colorful mobiles dangle from the ceiling.
Dental assistants and Bozic rotate between cleaning teeth, examining and visiting each child simultaneously. This setup is especially helpful for the Burkhalters, so Cheryl and Ron can stroll from one chair to another as Bozic's team works on their kids. Lillian was the last to follow her siblings, and she quickly traded her excitement for apprehension, as she sat in the dentist chair for the first time. Curiosity overcame any fear, as the dental assistants showed Lillian each piece of equipment and explained its use. For children who are fussy and can disrupt the community environment, there is a soundproof exam room, where Bozic and his team can focus on the patient.