Dental Health Week

I believe that pre-schools and kindergartens can support lifelong dental habits by providing activities and lessons which focus on proper dental hygiene. Good health habits begin at home and a child’s daycare or preschool environment should support them.

It is normal to encounter some resistance to teeth brushing with toddlers. Whether it’s getting them to practice brushing on their own or an attempt to assist, toddler tooth brushing can be a struggle. Here are some tips that encourage toddlers to brush:-

(a) Offer fun toothbrushes. There are dozens on the market and children can select their favorite colours or characters. Children love using them.
(b) Ask toddlers to sing a song as they brush or set a musical timer for two minutes so that children will get in the habit of brushing for the recommended length of time.
(c) Use a simple reward system. A colourful sticker after every successful brushing session is a great incentive.
(d) Be a good role model. Toddlers can watch child care providers brush and floss after meals and snack. Adults and children may also brush their teeth side by side so that adults can model and explain proper tooth brushing techniques.


The children were rewarded with a Healthy Smile Certificate at the end of the week to encourage them to continue this healthy habit at home. Parents play an important role in ensuring that a child forms healthy habits. Teachers reinforces this habit and the learning process is successful. A positive learning environment is essential where the child has ample of group activities and demonstrations to show them proper methods when teaching each subject matter. At my centre the children continuosly participate in many hands-on sessions to make the learning process simple and fun.