MEL Medicine is a monthly subscription box for kids 14-99+ that includes exciting hands-on kits designed to bring Med School home. Certified safe and packed with professional medical tools, this kit is filled with experiments, procedures, and discoveries for the whole family.
This month we reviewed the Dentistry: Caries kit from MEL Medicine.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
MEL Medicine: Dentistry: Caries
For those new here, I am an educator and mom, and love supplementing at-home learning into my kids' public school education. That being said, I was absolutely thrilled to receive a surprise shipment of the MEL Medicine boxes for Hank and I to try out. While Hank is a couple of years short of the intended age, (he's almost 12, when this is geared towards 14 and up), he was really excited to work on his kit. This is kit number three for us, and it just might be Hank's favorite!
Not only was Hank excited to receive this kit in the mail, but he really appreciated the professional tools inside. Paired with the app, we couldn't wait to see where this month's theme would take us. Read below to find out what we discovered.
MEL Medicine "Dentistry: Caries" Procedures
In this month's box, we were provided with the materials to perform a mix of 5 case studies/procedures. MEL Medicine utilizes their app for instructions, so you will have to download it for a guide.
Supplies
This kit came with a ton of professional supplies. Because a lot of these supplies are used throughout many of the experiments, we will go through everything included first.
Safety Supplies
Because we are working with UV rays, a pair of heavy duty UV safe glasses were included, along with two pairs of gloves in medium and large sizes.
Dentistry Tools and Grinder
Including professional supplies, Hank received a legitimate pick, mirror, and other dental tools, along with a manicure/pedicure grinder with the blades. We were both left truly impressed!
Polymer, Brushes, and Foam
We also received a syringe filled with polymer for the filings, articulating paper, foam pads, and tiny brushes. I am starting to feel as if I'm really at the dentist's office!!
Artificial Jaw and Tongue
While Hank was thrilled about the tools, he couldn't get over how cool the artificial jaw was - especially when housing the sticky fake tongue. (Seriously, how realistic - but it sort of creeps me out!!)
Dentistry Cards
Also included was a set of dental cards and information cards. These are great tools to reference, and add our information to. What a professional set!
Procedure #1 Internship Dentistry
To start off this months kit, Hank read through the information on the box, and opened up the kit. Seeing all of the included parts and pieces got him excited, and he declared that he truly felt like a dentist! After becoming familiar with all of the components, we jumped on the app and started learning about how to take a patient's history. Using the included case history and set of cards, Hank went through and listened to the included lecture and learned what information is important, and what is not. This was a great introduction, and started us off in a good place.
Procedure #2 Examining Your Teeth
The first procedure Hank had to complete was on himself! Using the mirror tool, a flashlight, and a toothbrush, he went through a few lectures, then checked out his own teeth! Using the dental cards, he used the card that laid out all of the teeth, and did the examine, numbering his teeth as he went. He has done an immaculate job at brushing and taking care of his chompers, so his card was blank, but he learned a lot from this activity.
Procedure #3 Drilling the Cavities
Now we're getting into the good stuff!! With the next procedure, Hank was able to start drilling! To prep, he gathered all of the necessary supplies which are listed on the app, and listened to a lecture on tooth structure. After learning how cavities are formed, he was ready to try his hand at drilling one out. After inserting the fake tongue, he added a couple of cavities with a black permanent marker, and opened the jaw to 70 degrees and secured it with the screws. Using the mirror, he did an exam and probed the damaged tooth, then got to work. Using the forceps, he placed the cotton pad along the teeth, and was ready to drill!
As you can see, he is no longer at 70 degrees, this poor guy's mouth is CRANKED open! Hank had a hard time keeping the cotton pad on the side of the tongue, and just stretched his mouth wide open. Using the included drill, he drilled the cavity out. Yikes!!!
Procedure #4 Tooth Filling
The next procedure included the instructions on how to fill a cavity. Using the included polymer, he filled the cavity and patted it down with the composite filling instrument. Then using the UV lamp, he hardened the polymer. Using the articulating paper, he tested to see how well his filling fit, and ground down a bit of excess. Then voila, his first filling was complete! Cool!
Procedure #5 Case Study
Because Hank was using my phone to perform the case study, I didn't get any photos, but in this procedure, he met a patient that was in severe pain from a toothache. After listening to the symptoms and conducing research, Hank diagnosed this patient with a dental abscess that caused sepsis and was correct!
Final Thoughts - Was This Box Worth It?
Absolutely! The Dentistry: Caries box was awesome! Paired with the app and the professional tools, Hank learned so much! Because this box is geared towards kiddos 14+, this is a little advanced for Hank, but since he is pretty mature for his age, he gained a ton of knowledge regarding dentistry. This box is a bit time consuming, but not so much as other subjects. Hank loved drilling the cavities and filling them with polymer, though decided dentistry is probably not for him. Overall, this subscription was a great fit for my family, and a wonderful project for us to experience together, all while learning about science and medicine.
I also want to note that there are always additional experiments that you can do online with these boxes if your child is so inclined. I have downloaded the app and have found a ton of extra experiments, awards, AR and VR opportunities, and more! Check it out!
The Cost: Subscriptions start at $64.90
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this box is still available. From MEL Medicine:
"Your first package will arrive within 2 weeks of registration. Subsequent monthly packages will be delivered within 2 weeks of each monthly charge."
What do you think of MEL Medicine? Let us know below!
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