Reading, writing, arithmetic -- and teeth.

Those were the subjects Bayvale Elementary School pupils learnied about last week when the Georgia Public Health mobile dental office visited their school.

With their parents' permission, pupils received dental screenings, cleanings, fluoride treatments and other services, said Bernie Pohlmann, a public health dentist.

Pupils also were told how to take care of their teeth.

"We do what you generally do in a dental office," Dr. Pohlmann said. "We have all the equipment you would see in the dental office, too. The only difference is that we move from place to place."

The goal of the public health program is to reach children who may not get to see a dentist otherwise, he said.

"We try to travel to elementary schools where a large percentage of the students are getting free or reduced lunch," he said. "Those are the children we really want to reach out to, because many of them haven't gone to the dentist before or we are the only ones they see when we visit each year."

This was the 10th year the mobile office has visited the school. About 100 pupils visited the office last week.

Dana Harris, Bayvale's principal, said the visit by the mobile office was a good experience for the pupils.

"This has taught the students the importance of good dental hygiene," Dr. Harris said. "They have been eager to share what they have learned with other students, and then they go home and tell their mom and dad. This is something they have been really excited about."

Bayvale Elementary is one of about 10 Richmond County elementary schools the mobile dentist office visits.