reader profile: kristin lund

Kristin Lund, RDH, is a dental health consultant with the Colorado Migrant Health Program in Denver. CMHP promotes and protects the health of the state`s migrant and seasonal farmworker population. Lund recruits and trains approximately 20 hygienists each year to provide preventive dental services to the migrant population. Armed with portable dental units, hygienists in the program visit migrant summer schools (photo above shows one class receiving oral hygiene tips in 1995) during a period of six weeks to four months, performing prophylaxes, topical fluoride treatments, sealants, and oral hygiene instruction. The high impact season for migrant farmworkers in Colorado is May through September. Crops such as lettuce, spinach, onions, cantaloupe, honeydew melons, potatoes, and mushrooms are planted and harvested by the state`s migrant farmworkers. "Agriculture is the third largest industry in Colorado," she said. "The farmworkers are a hardworking population, working from sunup to sundown to provide us with fresh fruits and vegetables. The least we can do is provide them with health care." More than 2,000 children were screened and treated under the CMHP program in 1995. Lund, who received her license in 1985, has received several awards for her work in public health dentistry. The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center honored her in 1995 as its alumnus of the year. Hygienists interested in a temporary summer position with CMHP are encouraged to call Lund at (303) 692-2429.