Fun way to learn about children's tooth care
Wednesday, May 8, 2002
Helping pre-school children and their parents realise the importance of looking after teeth is the aim of a new oral health education pack. Tooth Time, launched by the British Dental Health Foundation, is based on a resource pack written by staff at Victory Nursery in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. It uses practical activities and play, including singing, painting, visits and stories, to encourage children to regularly brush their teeth, eat foods low in sugar and have regular visits to the dentist.
Tooth Time, launched by the British Dental Health Foundation, is based on a resource pack written by staff at Victory Nursery in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. It uses practical activities and play, including singing, painting, visits and stories, to encourage children to regularly brush their teeth, eat foods low in sugar and have regular visits to the dentist.
The resource includes recommendations of books, songs and rhymes that encourage healthy eating and caring for teeth. Activities include observing their teeth and friends' teeth by using torches and hand-held mirrors and inviting a dental hygienist to visit the nursery. Children are urged to role-play visiting a dentist's surgery so they can be reassured it is a friendly and safe environment.
Dr Carter, chief executive of the Foundation, said, 'Dental disease is the most common preventable childhood disease.
'The Foundation aims to reduce the number of children suffering and believes that good education at an early age can have a significant impact.'
The pack costs 10 for members and 13.35 for non-members, and can be ordered by calling the Foundation on 0870 770 4015.
