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February is National Children's Dental Health Month
In
February of each year the American Dental Association, in conjunction
with its constituent state
and local dental societies, promotes children's dental health. A nationwide
information and advertising campaign is conducted through various outlets
to encourageparents to discuss the importance of good oral health with
their children. Emphasis is placed on proper home oral hygiene as well
as the need for regular checkups.
Locally, our dental practice has taken the opportunity to visit several schools in the McKinney area and talk to the children about their teeth. Overall, we have made visits to five different schools and spoken to over 450 children in the past two years. Dr. Shannon, Rene, and Shelly have each participated in this program. Their presentation is specifically geared to the younger students.
Rene is credited with designing the class presentations. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining good oral health and uses a number of visual aids as well as group participation exercises to get the children interested. They play-act correct brushing and flossing with each other using models of teeth. There is also a lively discussion about good food choices to select for snacks and meals. A fun and interesting cartoon video is shown with Dudley the Dinosaur. Dudley describes what his first visit to the dentist was like. The students seem to really enjoy meeting Dudley.
Shelly,
Kathleen, and Rene have prepared gift bags which are given to each child
at the end of the presentation. The bag contains a toothbrush and toothpaste
as well as age-appropriate educational materials to use at home. Also
included is a "homework" page for the children to give to their
parents. It's a quiz that tests their parents' knowledge of what they
can do to help their children get and maintain happy, healthy smiles.
The students really like the idea of Mom and Dad having a homework assignment.
Rene says it's their favorite thing in the bag.
We look forward to participating in the "National Children's Dental Health Month" each year. If you know of a school or group of children that would enjoy a visit like this themselves, please let us know. We would be more than happy to share our message with them.
