The White Falcon - 19.02.1993, Side 3

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Armed Forces News B
^Mailing agricultural items subject to fines
Washington, D.C. (NNS) — According to the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, personnel who use the military mail system to send
prohibited agricultural items to the U.S. or its territories are subject
to a minimum fine of $250. This policy has been in effect since Sept.
15, 1992, and brings the military mail system under the same
restrictions that have been in place for the U.S. Postal System. The
Plant Quarantine Act and other federal laws prohibit the entry of
foreign agricultural products that could spread pests and diseases to
American crops and livestock.
Prohibited are meats including salami, ham, bacon and all types of
sausage, as well as soup mixes containing meat. Fresh fruits and
vegetables, plants, seeds, bulbs and soil are also prohibited.
Postal patrons should always declare agricultural items on the U.S.
Customs Form that accompanies every package. For more informa-
tion, call the Navy Post Office at ext. 2203.
New Dependents’ Dental Plan includes
expanded benefits
Washington, D.C. (DoD Health Affairs) — Congress has authorized
the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement an improved
Dependents’ Dental Plan (DDP). The expected implementation date
for the improved plan is April 1. The current DDP will terminate upon
implementation of the improved plan.
The new plan, in addition to benefits covered under the current plan
(examinations, X-rays, cleanings, sealants and fillings), includes:
— endodontics (root canal treatment),
National
CHILDREN’S
Dental Health
Month
February 1993
■ VISIT YOUR DENTIST
— periodontics (treatment of gum disease),
— oral surgery (extractions, including wisdom teeth), and
— orthodontic treatment (braces).
As with commercially available dental insurance plans, the new
DDP will have annual maximum benefit limits per patient and
sponsor co-payments. There will also be a lifetime maximum per
patient for orthodontic care.
Under the new DDP, enrollment will be automatic for all CONUS
assigned service members (including U.S., Virgin Islands, Guam and
Puerto Rico) with eligible family members and who have 24 months
remaining in the service.
Although this program is not offered locally, you need to be aware
of its existance when you return the the U.S.
In addition, all sponsors currently enrolled in DDP will be enrolled
in the new program, regardless of their remaining time in service.
Enrollment criteria for outside CONUS sponsors remains unchanged.
Premiums for the new plan are $9.65 for a single family member
and $19.30 for two or more family members. Given an implementa-
tion date of April 1, deductions for the new premiums will begin in
March.
Ways for children to keep a healthy smile
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The U.S.
Naval Branch Dental Clinic, Keflavfk, Iceland has a few tips to help
parents maintain their children’s healthy smiles.
-Put only water in a child’s bottle for a nap or at bedtime.
-Start brushing the child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears
(six months).
-Make sure your child gets the fluoride needed to develop decay-
resistant teeth. Ask your dentist how this can be done.
-Brush and floss young children’s teeth daily until they can be
taught to do this alone. Then encourage them to brush and floss.
-Take your child to see the dentist regularly. Schedule the first visit
by the child’s first birthday.
-Ask your dentist about dental sealants. Sealants are used to protect
the chewing surfaces of the child’s back teeth.
The Branch Dental Clinic, Keflavik Dental Society also notes that
a good diet is essential for your child’s growth and development and
to maintain a healthy body. Like the rest of the body, the teeth, bones
and the soft tissues of the mouth require nutrients supplied by a well-
balanced diet.
Many factors determine how foods affect the teeth. The more often
a child snacks on foods containing sugar and starch, the greater the
chance of tooth decay. Other factors include:
-Frequency of snacks. Limiting the number of times you snack
between meals will minimize the number of acid attacks on your
teeth.
-The amount of time the food is in the mouth. Foods such as hard
candy and breath mints stay in the mouth a long time, leading to
extended acid attacks on teeth.
-Physical characteristics of the food. Foods that tend to stick to the
teeth may prolong the acid attack.
-The time of day a food is eaten. Carbohydrates eaten as part of a
meal are less harmful to teeth than if eaten alone. Foods eaten just
before bedtime can’t stick to the teeth through the night
-What is eaten. Research indicates that certain foods, such as
cheese, may help counter the effects of the acids produced by plaque
bacteria.
If you would like to leam more about how to safeguard your child’s
smile, feel free to contact the Branch Dental Clinic at ext. 7425/4591.
February 19,1993
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