Description
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The mission of the TOOTH Program is to assure, promote, and protect the oral health of Humboldt County’s children by increasing their oral health awareness, knowledge, and self responsibility by developing positive, life-long oral health behaviors. Program Components: 1. Oral Health Education and Prevention PRESCHOOL: Oral Health Educators will provide 11 lessons to every preschool in Humboldt County. Preschool curriculum will focus on the following topics, throughout various lessons:
- Proper tooth brushing technique, using small circles
- Brushing two times a day, for two minutes
- Visiting the dentist and losing teeth
- Germ prevention (hand washing, covering your cough & toothbrush sharing)
- Nutrition (food pyramid, everyday foods & special treats, health beverages
- Exercise & sleep
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: Oral Health lessons will be provided to 1st, 3rd and 5th grade students in all elementary schools throughout Humboldt County. The lessons will focus on the following topics.
- Proper tooth brushing & flossing
- Nutrition/exercise (Importance to teeth, food pyramid, need for exercise/water)
- Tobacco/drug use: gum disease, bone loss & oral cancer (5th grade only)
2. Community Education TOOTH will provide oral health education, dental disease prevention workshops, and dental supplies to caregivers and parents in Humboldt County. This goal will be accomplished by providing workshops at First 5 playgroups, school parent nights, and participating in community health fairs.
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