• The dental staff of Smilebuilderz reached out to local child day care centers , with kids ranging in age from Pre-K to elementary students to hold educational presentations . Several office hygienists provided instructions on the importance of developing good brushing and flossing habits as well as incorporating good nutritional foods into their diet . The Smilebuilderz team says they participate in NCDHM because they believe that developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums . The presentations were held on February 12 and February 18 .
Smilebuilderz hygienists also participated in two Sealant Saturdays held by the Lancaster , Lebanon , York Area Dental Hygienist ’ s Association ( LLYADHA ). On February 1 , two hygienists donated their time and talents to help at Sealant Saturday , held at Welsh Mountain Dental Clinic . Additional staff members participated in the Water Street Health Services Sealant Saturday on February 8 . LLYADHA ’ s Sealant Saturdays served 586 uninsured children .
• Dr . Matthew Kingston ’ s office , Healthy Smiles Dental , held an NCDHM poster contest to raise awareness among his patients and the community . The contest was for children in kindergarten through fifth grade . A winner was selected from each grade level , and from those selected an overall winner was chosen to receive a grand prize of $ 25 . All other grade-level winners received $ 10 .
• For the 32 nd year , Dr . Robert Berstecher spoke to 234 third-grade students in the Brecknock , Blue Ball and New Holland Elementary Schools of the Eastern Lancaster County School District . The presentation allowed for students to participate in a presentation on healthy snacks for a healthy mind and body . To reinforce what they had learned during the presentation , students watched “ Dudley and Dee Dee in Nutrition Land .” Each student received a hygiene kit and a pamphlet on healthy snacking .
Sixth District
• On February 21 , orthodontic assistant , Barbara Walker of Dr . Albert Stush ’ s office spoke to the students of Meadowbrook Christian School . Students ranged in age from preschool to fifth-grade . She conducted fun , educational activities with the students that demonstrated the importance of fluoride , sealants , flossing and brushing . Dr . Stush ’ s office staff says they enjoy participating in NCDHM because they have the ability to spread the message of promoting healthy smiles for a lifetime !
Seventh District
• Dr . Nicole Oravec held NCDHM presentations at three different preschools in Cresson Area . Children aged from three to five enjoyed learning about oral care , visits to the dentist and diet . “ Dudley the Dinosaur ” was shown and “ Alligator ” brushing and flossing demonstrations were done . Children dressed up in masks and gloves to play dentist with Dr . Oravec as their patient , to explain the steps in a dental visit . To educate the importance of healthy snacks and drinks , examples of each were
Preschools students had a fun learning during Dr . Nicole Oravec ’ s presentation on dental health .
Ninth District
• Throughout the month of February , Dr . Dennis Finton promoted NCDHM by handing out educational activity booklets to his young patients as they were seen .
National Children ’ s Dental Health Month
The afternoon kindergarten class at Meadow Brook Christian School was all smiles during Dr . Stush ' s visit with them to learn about the importance of good oral hygiene .
shown . Every child was given dental health activity books , posters , bookmarks and toothbrushes . In total , Dr . Oravec visited with 113 children during NCDHM .
• Dr . Sam Mansour gave educational presentations to classrooms at Fairview Elementary School and South Hills Elementary School with students ranging from three to eight years old . “ I truly enjoy educating these children and watching their faces , both the excitement and surprise , as I go through my power point ,” Dr . Mansour said . “ Parents routinely inform me that I have motivated their child in brushing their teeth . It is these words that I enjoy hearing ; the words that keep me involved yearly .”
Tenth District
• Dr . Michael Korch and his staff visited with 125 first-grade students at two
Dr . Mansour reviews an educational power point presentation with students at during one of his visits for NCDHM .
elementary schools in Hampton Township School District to educate them on good oral health . They begun by showing a video , “ Goofy Over Dental Health .” In small groups , they then demonstrated the proper way to brush and floss . To encourage students to feel comfortable and calm any fears they may have about a dental visit , they had items that they may encounter in a dental office on display . A hands-on experiment using a Coca-Cola stained egg , toothbrush and toothpaste was conducted to demonstrate the importance of brushing . Students left with goodie bags filled with a toothbrush , timer , toothpaste , floss , bookmarks and posters .
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