Dental Outreach Takes Message to Schools

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, one in 10 children ages 6 to 11 has never been to the dentist, even though tooth decay is the major cause of tooth loss. Tooth decay is also the single most common chronic childhood disease and one of the biggest reasons children miss school, yet 90 percent of it is preventable. In an effort to improve children’s dental health and as part of its vision to be “a complete and supportive resource,” Children’s Hospital and the Virginia Department of Health – Dental Division initiated a dental outreach program this fall to take important dental education to area elementary schools.

“Our goal is to educate 1,000 first graders about the impact of oral health on overall health,” said Cyndi Cline, hospital liaison. “We also want to provide teachers and school nurses with information to integrate into the health curriculum.”

First graders at Blackwell, Linwood Holton and Fairfield Court Elementary Schools in Richmond as well as all Hopewell, Prince George and Petersburg area first graders will participate in the 30-minute program during the 2007-2008 school year. The program is designed to tie into the Standards of Learning health curriculum and features hospital marketing and dental staff discussing why teeth are important, reasons for proper tooth brushing and dental care, the role of baby teeth versus adult teeth and what happens when you don’t take care of your teeth. Props like puppets, large toothbrushes and large teeth are used to reinforce the important messages.

“The children have been extremely receptive,” said Cyndi about the first scheduled programs, “and have been very engaged with everything we’ve taught them. I’m so impressed with how much they’re retaining and how much fun it’s been for me.”

All students receive a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, tooth brushing chart and coloring book from Children’s Hospital. Teachers and nurses also receive posters and other printed teaching materials to continue including this dental education in their health curriculum throughout the year.

The information on this site is provided for informational and educational purposes only; it does not contain specific medical advice. If you have specific health questions or problems, consult a health care professional for personal medical advice.