Dentist offers educational program to schools during national dental month

Pediatric Dental Care, at 13 Hopkins Road, Williamsville, will be visiting schools during National Children's Dental Health Care Month to educate children on proper care of their teeth.

On Feb. 1, 1941, a one-day observance of "Children's Dental Health Day" was held in Ohio. In 1949, the American Dental Association held its first national observance of the day.

In 1955, it became a weeklong event, and in 1981, it was extended to a monthlong observance and named "National Children's Dental Health Care Month."

According to the U. S. Surgeon General's Executive Summary on Oral Health, released in May 2000, tooth decay is the single most common chronic disease in children.

The report also stresses the importance of oral health as a key part of total health. More than 50 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 9 have at least one cavity or filling, and that proportion increases to 78 percent among 17-year-olds.

To address this issue, Dr. Gregory George, of Pediatric Dental Care, developed an in-school education program that has been successfully implemented in schools nationwide.

He is the author of the "Look Mom ... No Cavities!" book and video. A natural product extension was the creation of the Dental Health Education Curriculum kit.

The kit was developed with the help of educators, a curriculum developer, school nurses and the American Dental Hygienist's Association as a tool to educate children between the ages of 5 and 18 about the importance of good oral hygiene. The curriculum is the tool used by several states as their public health education tool for oral health education.

As a tribute to National Children's Dental Health Care Month, George's staff will be available on a limited basis to visit schools or organizations to implement a free oral health care education program.

The program has been designed for children in prekindergarten through third grade. Each child will receive educational materials and a Crest spin brush.

Call 633-6480 for information and space availability.