Health district’s dental program open to daycares, preschools
Polish Your Pearls is a grant-based dental program from Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department that helps supplement regular dental visits to provide optimal protection against cavities for children ages 0-5.
The program is available to local daycares and preschools and provides oral health screening, dental education and application of fluoride varnish.
“According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood illness in the United States, and the most preventable of all health problems,” said Sarah Minnick, SWNPHD Program Manager.
“Tooth decay is five times more common than asthma and 20 times more common than diabetes. In Nebraska 46% of children ages 3-5 already have dental decay,” she said.
The AAPD recommends children visit their dentist no later than their first birthday and every six months after that.
When children learn how to care for their teeth early in life, their families save on costs and prevent future problems. Polish Your Pearls provides education including proper brushing and flossing, Minnick said.
She offered some roper flossing tips:
Wrap the ends of an 18-to-24-inch section of floss around the middle fingers.
Hold floss between thumbs and the pointer fingers. Leave 1 inch of floss between your two hands.
Gently guide the floss between your teeth. When you reach the gum line, curve the floss into a “C” shape around the tooth. Make sure to go below the gum line, too.
Make sure to use light pressure against the teeth when working the floss up and down to better clean the teeth. Unwind to use a clean piece of floss approximately every three teeth.
All children who participate in the program will receive a free dental screening, toothbrush and toothpaste. A note is also sent home with each child, showing the screening results.
Those interested in knowing more about the program or wanting to set up a dental clinic should contact Minnick at SWNPHD at 308-345-4223.