Dental Health

Dramatic Play Center: Create a dentist office. Put a lawn chair, gloves, masks, mirror, etc. in the center for the children to act out going to the dentist. You might even find them getting creative and have magazines for those "waiting" to see the dentist. Ask one of your local dentists to help supply the center, x-rays of teeth are great too!

Art Center: During this week, using an 8x10 piece of construction paper and cut out mouths, the children had fun gluing macaroni noodles as teeth to the paper that said, "My Smile is GREAT!"; you can also make dentures using play dough molded into the shape of the upper or lower set of teeth and use white dry beans and put them in the play dough for the teeth, then let the play dough dry hard.

Writing Center: Words to use for children to copy might be: brush, tooth fairy, dentist, smile, and tooth.

Special Visitor: We always invite a local hygienist to visit our classroom. She talks about the importance of brushing at least twice a day and flossing. This gives the children an opportunity to see someone of the field in their own environment before their first visit to the dentist. She also brings toothbrushes, paste and floss for the children to take home with them.

Music: Here is a great song that goes with the unit:

(to Jingle Bells) Brush your teeth, Brush your teeth, Give your teeth a treat.

Brush up and down and all around. To keep them clean and neat.

Brush them once. Brush them twice. Brush three times a day.

Brush up and down and all around. Keep cavities away!

Crest also has a Dental Health Education Program Sing-along tape with neat songs for little ones.

Video: Crest has a great video for preschool children called "Geena's Tremendous Tooth Adventure" it is about eight (8) minutes long and has some catchy little songs that the children love. I am not sure if it is still available but I am sure you could contact Procter and Gamble to see if it is.

Books: Going to the Dentist by Anne Civardi & Stephen Cartwright

(I know we used more books, but at publishing I can't find my list. Please check back later!)