Let children and their parents know that February is dental health month with dental health themed bulletin boards. Use posters provided by the American Dental Association or make your own. In addition to colorful pictures, include a list of the activities your class will be taking part in during the month, so that parents may join in if possible. Also provide contact information for local dentists in the area to encourage parents to take an active role in their child's oral health.
Many young children are scared of the dentist. Ease their fears by inviting a dentist or dental hygienist to visit your classroom. Ask the dentist to bring in some of the tools she uses to examine teeth, as well as the goggles and face mask usually worn during examinations. Ask the dentist to show students the tools she uses and why. Encourage the speaker to talk about good dental health, cavities and tooth decay, and to give a demonstration of proper brushing and flossing techniques. Leave time at the end for students to ask questions.
Let students pretend to be a dentist. In the dramatic play area, place several dolls in chairs, or lay them on mats on the floor. Give each child a toothbrush, face mask and a small mirror. Encourage students to pretend to be the dentist and to examine and brush their doll's teeth.
Talk to students about how certain foods cause cavities. Explain that cavities are holes inside teeth that the dentist must fill. Give each student two teeth cut out of poster board; punch holes in one of the teeth and explain to students that the holes are cavities. Give students pictures of foods cut from magazines and advertisements, and ask students to sort foods into two categories: Foods that are healthy for teeth, and foods that cause cavities. Ask students to paste the healthy foods on the tooth with no cavities, and to paste foods that are unhealthy for teeth on the tooth with cavities. Talk about the importance of brushing and flossing after eating foods to prevent cavities.