Molesworth Street Kindergarten

From Rachel Abela, Early Childhood teacher

Oral Health at Molesworth St Kindergarten

Last week Dr Cathy and her assistant Nasia from Co-Health Dental made 3 trips to our kindergarten so that every child would have the opportunity to have their teeth “counted”.

Prior to this, each group had the opportunity to read books, examine dental models and toothbrushes and discuss what good oral health looks like, in particular the types of food and drinks that we should be having to look after our teeth and gums.

Dr Cathy started her session with an interactive information session, and she was impressed by how much our children already knew.  We got to watch her pet dragon have his teeth cleaned; where Dr Cathy was gentle around the gums.  We were reminded that water and milk are the two best drinks for our teeth, and that fruit juices contain sugar and so aren’t recommended.  And then we got to move our bodies, to match the movements of the way we brush our teeth.

The children set up a “waiting-room” just like Pepa Pig and George sat in, in the book “Dentist Trip.”  Dr Cathy had explained to the children what to expect, and one by one she counted their teeth.  A showbag with a new toothbrush and some activities was handed to the children as they went home, along with a referral to Co-Health’s free dental service, if further dental services were required.

We are proud of our strong relationship with Co-Health Dental and Dr Cathy in particular, who has visited us for the last 3 years.  We believe that this yearly incursion, and our explorations on this topic, help children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing.  (VEYLDF Outcome 3 – Wellbeing).