Juvenile court to celebrate 'brushes from the bench'

.story-ad {

width: 310px;

float: left;

margin: 0 10px 10px 0;

padding: 4px;

}

- Advertisement -

OAS_AD('x22');

Rhonda K. Wood, 4th Division Circuit Judge, was selected as a "model court" one of 32 Model Courts in the country.

Wood's court was selected by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), an organization dedicated to improving the effectiveness of the nation's juvenile courts. The model courts serve as models and its judges serve as mentors for other jurisdictions nationwide.

One of Wood's activities as a model court included a free dental check-up provided by Conway Interfaith Clinic at the court for juveniles involved in the court system.

Early childhood tooth decay is rampant in the United States. It is the single most chronic disease of childhood and is five times more prevalent than asthma. It is a cause of significant pain, delayed development, loss of school days and poor general health. Children's dental health can affect everything from their immune system and ability to physically develop normally, to their self-esteem and relationships with peers.

"I am personally very excited that the NCJFC selected my court as a model court," Wood said. "I will do my best to be innovative during the coming year and set an example for others to follow. I am thrilled to be working with the Conway Interfaith Clinic on our first project to raise awareness of the oral health needs of children in the court system."