Dental News - ProHEALTH Dental visits classrooms at Huntington YMCA for National Children’s Dental Health Month

Dental Tribune USA

Sun. 12 April 2020

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HUNTINGTON, N.Y., USA: In ongoing celebration of February as National Children’s Dental Health Month, PRoHEALTH Dental visited the Huntington YMCA to teach children in the pre-school program about the importance of good oral hygiene.

Pediatric Dentist Dr. Shikha Kanotra used “Al E. Gator,” a puppet alligator, to demonstrate effective brushing techniques to the children in the program.

“At the Huntington YMCA, we are happy to partner with ProHealth, as we understand the importance of teaching children healthy habits at a young age as part of our focus on youth development and healthy living,” said Marissa Dicpinigaitis, early childhood director at the YMCA.

National Children’s Dental Health Month, held in February each year, brings together dedicated dental and healthcare professionals to help promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others.

Dentists recommend a child’s first dental visit should occur when the first teeth appear and no later than the child’s first birthday. Parents may be unaware of the dental health timeline, or they may be reluctant to bring their child for fear of how their child will behave — especially if parents are harboring their own apprehensions about the dentist.

Dentists will also be able to address ways parents can help their children establish and maintain good oral hygiene habits, including:

Brush teeth and tongue twice a day and floss once a day in order to keep teeth and gums healthy.
Always choose a child size soft bristle toothbrush. Replace the toothbrush every 3 months or sooner if the bristles are frayed. Throw away the toothbrush after your child recovers from a cold or flu.
For children under the age of three, use no more than a smear or grain-of-rice-size amount of fluoride toothpaste.
For children three to six, use no more than a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Parents should supervise and assist with brushing until their child can tie their own shoelaces.

(Source: ProHEALTH Dental)