Making it a mission to show children that coming to the dentist doesn’t have to be scary, Dr. Brigette Jones is the latest addition to the St. Charles Community Health Center in Norco.
“I love working with children. It’s very satisfying to know that I am getting these young patients off to a great start in dental care with fun and laughter,” Jones said. “I want this generation to know that coming to a dentist does not have to be scary, and that visiting the dentist can be a magically fun visit like a trip to an amusement park.”
Jones has practiced dentistry for 18 years. Of that time, she’s been a specialist in pediatric dentistry for 12 years. She offers comprehensive dentistry, which includes exams, cleanings, restorative work (fillings and crowns) and oral surgery (extractions).
“I wanted to help educate and prevent oral disease in a population that might otherwise have to travel a long distance to see a specialist,” she said of why she came to the Norco area.
Jones said, as a pediatric dentist, she has two additional years of residency training in dentistry for infants, children, teens and children with special needs.
Pediatric dentists are dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years,” she said.The AAP and the AAPD recommends that childcare include dental checkups by a year old and then every 6 months. Poor dental health can affect a child’s health, growth, speech and self-esteem.
Jones, who joined the Health Center in January, said they have the experience and qualifications to care for and meet the challenges of caring for a child’s teeth, gums, and mouth throughout the various ages of childhood.
St. Charles Community Health Center is a member of Access Health Louisiana (AHL), the largest health clinic network in Louisiana. This center has locations in Luling, Norco and Kenner. AHL, a nonprofit network of clinics, is the largest network of federally qualified health centers in the state. AHL offers comprehensive medical, behavioral and dental health to communities across South Louisiana.
The network’s mission is “To improve the health of the people we serve” and its vision statement is “To exceed national performance standards for quality care and to improve access for patients through expanded medical services and new sites.”
According to Jones, “Children are not small adults. They are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a dental exam. A pediatric dentist like me knows how to examine and treat children in a way that makes them feel comfortable.”
She added, “When your pediatrician suggests that your child receives a dental exam you can be assured that a pediatric dentist will provide the best possible care.”
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