Some kids might be shy or even frightened at the dentist’s office, but Julynne Altidor jumped right into the chair on Wednesday and started talking.

She told Dr. Gloria Johnson-Spruiell that she had lost a baby tooth that morning and reported how much money the Tooth Fairy had brought her the last time she lost a tooth.

“It’s been great,” Johnson-Spruiell said of the outreach program the Suffolk Chapter of The Links Inc. did at Booker T. Washington Elementary School on Wednesday, in partnership with Colgate and the Obici Healthcare Foundation. The Hampton Roads Community Health Center also provided screenings.

The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures van visited the school for three hours and screened about 150 students whose parents had signed them up for the program. Children received “report cards” to take home to their parents, alerting them to current or potential issues with their children’s oral health.

Those who need dental care soon received a sheet of dentists, orthodontists and general health care facilities that have agreed to partner with the outreach and provide follow-up care.

One by one, children hopped into one of two dental chairs in the brightly decorated van to get a screening. There was no poking or prodding, scraping or X-rays — just a tongue depressor and a trained set of eyes looking for problems.

“This is really exciting for me,” said Johnson-Spruiell, who is a member of The Links. “I’m just really pumped. The kids are all really good.”

Each child also received toothpaste, a toothbrush and a timer to show how long they should brush, as well as a sheet to help track their brushing and a list of healthy snacks.

A presentation before children visited the van showed them how to brush, using a tooth-shaped mascot that delighted the students.

“The importance is the education,” said Janyce Jefferson, a Colgate employee who travels with the van. “We have an award-winning education program.”

Colgate employee Derrick Warren drives the van, directs the children throughout the van and keeps statistics when there are no volunteers, like there were Wednesday.

“They are a critical part of the program,” Jefferson said of the drivers of the nine vans spread throughout the country. “They play a very key role.”

Katherine Davis, program coordinator for the Suffolk Chapter of The Links, said the students were motivated by a free ice-cream party — with brushing encouraged afterward, of course — for the class with the most sign-ups. The winners also would receive a coupon for a free apple or banana from Farm Fresh.

“We are already finding some of them have issues, so this screening is timely,” Davis said.

Dr. MeChelle Blunt, president of the Suffolk Chapter of The Links, said Booker T. Washington is the adopted school of the chapter. Members visit the school frequently for reading and mentoring programs, workshops on science, technology, engineering and math subjects and — coming this Friday — an anti-bullying workshop.

“We have a lot of talent in our chapter,” Blunt said, adding that many are retired educators.