We are excited to partner with Whittier International Elementary School and for the opportunity to be able to provide high-quality, in-school dental services to your students at little to no cost to you!
Our model will allow your students to receive evidenced-based preventive dental care based on their individual risk for cavities.
Fill out the consent form below to enroll your student in the dental program.
Services
- Dental Screenings
- Fluoride Application
- Sealants
- Referrals
Dates
We will update this page when dates have been scheduled for this school.
Services will be scheduled by the Dental Operations Manager based on the need of each participating student.
Meet Your Providers
Jamie Barten, RDH, BSDH
Graduated from Rochester Community and Technical College in Minnesota, 2015
What inspired you to enter the dental field?
I was one of those weird kids who LOVED going to the dentist ? When it came time to figure out a career path after high school, I decided to shadow a dental hygienist to see if it would be something I would be interested in. I didn’t see anything that day that grossed me out, so here I am! I still love learning about teeth and helping people with their dental needs.
Why do you like working with kids?
First off, children are so carefree and say the funniest things! Aside from that, working with children can be so rewarding and working with their parents/guardians to educate them on the importance of oral health is one of my favorite parts of my job. Every day I aim to positively impact the lives of my patients and alleviate any dental fears by providing positive dental experiences, no matter the age of the patients I am working with.
Jenna Polivka, RDH, BSDH
Graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX, 2009
What inspired you to enter the dental field?
I wanted to be a nurse or teacher as a young child. I wasn’t able to see a dentist as a child and considered it such a luxury. As an adult, I soon realized it is not a luxury but a necessity. I learned the value of preventative dental care and how it can impact a person’s overall health and daily life. I want to be able to bring quality care to people every day and love that I can incorporate my childhood dream of being a teacher and nurse by providing dental education and oral health care in a new setting to students.
Why do you like working with kids?
I love helping children form a healthy, positive bond with their dental hygienist. Oral health care is so vital to the overall health of a person and dental anxiety can begin early. I love to be part of their lives and create a positive, encouraging experience so that they begin a lifelong path of healthy dental habits. Plus, kids are so fun! They have a great sense of humor and give me a daily boost of endorphins with their jokes!
Amanda Roberts, RDH, CDA
Graduated from Broward College, 2015
What inspired you to enter the dental field?
I’ve always been a natural caregiver. When I was a child I loved to help my grandmother and siblings when they needed it. I fell in love with dental hygiene because of the preventative nature of the profession. As a young adult, I struggled with my dental health and wanted to learn how to prevent dental disease. I am passionate about extending that knowledge to others. Now as the mother of my own three young children I believe a healthy smile is invaluable.
Why do you like working with kids?
I love working with children because I believe having positive dental experiences early in life is critical to having a healthy smile for life. Dental anxiety can start early and last into adulthood. I find children to be very inquisitive and eager to learn. There is never a dull moment when working with them!
Marisol Carrillo, DA
Graduated from Emily Griffith Technical College, 2021
What inspired you to enter the dental field?
Growing up with divorced parents who worked 24/7 caused me to not be seen by a dentist until I was 11 years old. My oral health was not good. I suffered from infections and always had bad breath. After getting some much needed treatment, I realized how important it is to take care of your teeth. When it was time for me to apply for college, I knew the dental pathway was meant for me. I wanted to know more about oral health and keeping your smile healthy. This made me focus in school and on my own smile. Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day makes such a big difference!
Why do you like working with kids?
I’m so excited for this school year, working with kiddos from BVSD is so much fun. I truly enjoy getting to know the students. It makes me happy to know that we’re making a difference for them. They’re at the age where their brains just soak up knowledge, and maybe they’ll spread all the important dental facts to their friends and family.
Milagros Medina, Dental Operations Manager
Graduated from PIMA Medical Institute, 2002
What inspired you to enter the dental field?
I chose the Dental field because I always knew I wanted to help people and give back to my community. Growing up my family could not afford dental care, this field inspired me to be able to help those patients in need of affordable dental care. This why I love my career because I can make a difference by helping educate them on their oral health.
Why do you like working with kids?
I enjoy working with kids because I have an opportunity to teach them and help them care for their teeth. Kids are like little sponges and the earlier you can help educate them the better oral health outcomes. Kids are funny and make me laugh and I really enjoy working with them.
Consent Form
All students must have a completed consent form on file prior to any service. All personal information is transferred and stored securely.
Parent FAQ
What is the cost for this program?
All students can receive this dental care regardless of dental insurance, and we are not collecting any fees from students who are screened or receive our limited scope preventive care in the school-based setting. Clinica will attempt to bill the student’s insurance for the care provided but any outstanding balance will not be passed on to the families.
Do you accept insurance?
All students can receive this dental care regardless of dental insurance. For more information, please contact Milagros Medina at mmedina@clinica.org
How do I enroll my student?
You can enroll your student(s) by completing the consent form, found on this page. Please make sure to complete a consent form for each student you wish to enroll.
How much class time will my student miss?
20 – 40 minutes depending on the treatment completed.
Who do I contact for more information?
| Milagros Medina |
| Dental Operations Manager – Clinica Family Health |
| Email: dental4kids@clinica.org |
| Kenthy “Jenn” Vega |
| Email: kenthy.vegabradley@bvsd.org |
| Cecilia Carillo |
| Email: cacila.carillo@bvsd.org |
What if my student needs dental services that are not offered by the dental team at the school?
Following your student’s screening you will receive additional information regarding your students treatment needs and follow up referral information if indicated.
What are the benefits to signing up for a school based dental program?
Students participating in the program have the opportunity to receive preventive dental services (screenings, cleanings and sealants) without having to miss multiple hours of class time to visit the dentist’s office.
Can my child still be seen if they have a dental home somewhere else?
Yes, all of the students at the school are eligible to participate in the school based dental program.
Teacher FAQ
Will I have advanced notice of when students will be missing from class?
Yes. Based on the consents received for the program, the Dental Operations Manager would create schedule so that teachers have advance notice of when students might be pulled from class. We may have to make adjustments to the schedule based on student absences, but we will try to notify teachers in the morning if the schedule has changed.
How long will the appointments take?
20 – 40 minutes depending on the treatment completed.
How will students get to their appointments?
One of our team members will come to the classroom prior to their appointment and walk the student to and from their appointment.
What classes are students likely to miss?
There are a number of variables we must include when determining the schedule, so we cannot say for sure what classes a student may be pulled from. However, we will partner with the school to determine the best time to remove students from class.
Can students be seen by the dental team if they are not on the schedule?
No. Only students with completed consent forms, and who are already on the schedule can be seen by our dental team. If a student would like to enroll, they can pick up an enrollment card from the dental team and bring it home to their parent or guardian to complete the form online.
Will the students be in any pain after the visit?
No. We will not be preforming any treatments that will cause pain to the students.
Can students eat and drink normally after services?
No. Students should not eat anything hard or crunchy or drink hot liquids immediately after services. Please discourage eating crunchy foods or drinking hot liquids for 2 hours after services.
Have questions?
Contact Kenthy “Jenn” Vega at kenthy.vegabradley@bvsd.org or Cecilia Carillo at cecilia.carillo@bvsd.org