Head Start

What can Head Start staff do to prepare children for their first dental visit?

Many children enrolled in Head Start have never been to a dentist. To help make the first dental visit pleasant, Head Start staff can help children understand what will happen during the visit. Staff can prepare children with simple activities such as

• Arranging a “field trip” to visit a dental clinic or office.

• Reading the children books about visiting the dentist such as Show Me Your Smile: A Visit to the Dentist.

• Inviting an oral health professional to talk to the children about the visit. Suggest that the oral health professional wear a uniform (white lab coat or scrubs) and bring a face mask, gloves, and a dental mirror to introduce to the children in a familiar environment.

• Showing audiovisual materials and talking to the children about what they saw and learned.

• Setting up an area where children can role-play being a dentist, a dental hygienist, and a child receiving care in a dental office.

• Talking to the children about the visit in a positive way (avoid telling scary stories about dental visits, and avoid using words such as “hurt,” “pain,” or “shot”).

• Encouraging the children to discuss their fears about going to the dentist.

Many oral health curricula include information on what to expect during a dental visit. Often, these can be downloaded at no charge from the Web. The following curricula may be useful for Head Start staff:

• Bright Smiles, Bright Futures: An Oral Health and Early Literacy Program for Head Start and Early Childhood Programs

• Oral Health Supplemental Curriculum Resource

Performance Standards

1304.21(a)(1)(i)

References

Academy of General Dentistry. When Should My Child First See a Dentist, and Why? Chicago, IL: Academy of General Dentistry.

American Dental Association. Life Stages: Parents. Chicago, IL: American Dental Association.

American Dental Hygienists' Association. 2006. Want Some Life Saving Advice? Ask Your Dental Hygienist About Proper Oral Health Care for Children. Chicago, IL; American Dental Hygienist's Association.

Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures. 2003. Bright Smiles, Bright Futures: An Oral Health and Early Literacy Program for Head Start and Early Childhood Programs. New York, NY: Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures.

Miller-Snyder C, Seeley M. 2004. A Trip to the Dentist Through Pinatta's View. Concord, MA: Boggle-Goggle Enterprises.

Ricci C. 2005. Show Me Your Smile: A Visit to the Dentist. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division.

South Carolina Department of Education, South Carolina Healthy Schools. 2005. Oral Health Supplemental Curriculum Resource. Columbia, SC: South Carolina Department of Education, South Carolina Healthy Schools.

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	Library Publications MCHB-Funded Projects Grants Administration TOHSS Head Start Alert Newsletter FAQs Links Bright Futures Toolbox Electronic Lists & Newsletters Links About Us FAQs Contact	A⁺ a^- Head Start What can Head Start staff do to prepare children for their first dental visit? Many children enrolled in Head Start have never been to a dentist. To help make the first dental visit pleasant, Head Start staff can help children understand what will happen during the visit. Staff can prepare children with simple activities such as • Arranging a “field trip” to visit a dental clinic or office. • Reading the children books about visiting the dentist such as Show Me Your Smile: A Visit to the Dentist. • Inviting an oral health professional to talk to the children about the visit. Suggest that the oral health professional wear a uniform (white lab coat or scrubs) and bring a face mask, gloves, and a dental mirror to introduce to the children in a familiar environment. • Showing audiovisual materials and talking to the children about what they saw and learned. • Setting up an area where children can role-play being a dentist, a dental hygienist, and a child receiving care in a dental office. • Talking to the children about the visit in a positive way (avoid telling scary stories about dental visits, and avoid using words such as “hurt,” “pain,” or “shot”). • Encouraging the children to discuss their fears about going to the dentist. Many oral health curricula include information on what to expect during a dental visit. Often, these can be downloaded at no charge from the Web. The following curricula may be useful for Head Start staff: • Bright Smiles, Bright Futures: An Oral Health and Early Literacy Program for Head Start and Early Childhood Programs • Oral Health Supplemental Curriculum Resource Performance Standards 1304.21(a)(1)(i) References Academy of General Dentistry. When Should My Child First See a Dentist, and Why? Chicago, IL: Academy of General Dentistry. American Dental Association. Life Stages: Parents. Chicago, IL: American Dental Association. American Dental Hygienists' Association. 2006. Want Some Life Saving Advice? Ask Your Dental Hygienist About Proper Oral Health Care for Children. Chicago, IL; American Dental Hygienist's Association. Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures. 2003. Bright Smiles, Bright Futures: An Oral Health and Early Literacy Program for Head Start and Early Childhood Programs. New York, NY: Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures. Miller-Snyder C, Seeley M. 2004. A Trip to the Dentist Through Pinatta's View. Concord, MA: Boggle-Goggle Enterprises. Ricci C. 2005. Show Me Your Smile: A Visit to the Dentist. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division. South Carolina Department of Education, South Carolina Healthy Schools. 2005. Oral Health Supplemental Curriculum Resource. Columbia, SC: South Carolina Department of Education, South Carolina Healthy Schools. Share \|
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