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🎵 “If you wake up in the morning and its a quarter to two and you want to find something to do… you brush your teeth.. chh chh chh chh.”🎵
 
Every day at Head Start, children are encouraged to practice good dental hygiene skills. After a meal, children can participate in brushing their teeth and learn the importance of brushing all three sides of their teeth – the outsides, insides and chewing surfaces. Some classrooms brush to a sand timer, or a countdown timer, and some brush to a variety of different songs. One popular song for the University of Oregon Part Day classrooms is the song ‘Brush Your Teeth‘ by Raffi. This song is over one minute long, and when played twice, is just over the length of time that the American Dental Association recommends for people to brush their teeth. (at least two minutes an day, twice a day)
In partnership with The Community Health Centers of Lane County, Early Head Start and Head Start children receive visits from the Dental Prevention Program. On these visits, children have the opportunity of a dental hygiene assessment, teeth cleaning, fluoride varnish treatment, sealants, and some education. Homecare packets are also given to the children that include toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss.
Thank you to the CHC Dental Hygienists for coming to visit the University of Oregon AM and PM Head Start classroom for a circle time and a dental check-up!!