ERH hosted kids from Berrimba for an informative Dental Health Week event.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
A collaboration between Berrimba Childcare Centre and Echuca Regional Health is helping to put healthy smiles on young faces.
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On Tuesday, August 5, kids from the centre visited the hospital’s dental clinic for a fun and informative event as part of Dental Health Week.
Paula Thomas and Hunter Kissel.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Hunter Kissel tries out the dentist chair.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Kids learnt how to brush their teeth properly with a demonstration on Chomp the dinosaur, tried out a dentist’s chair and saw the effects of acidity on eggshells submerged in different drinks.
ERH oral health educator Marcia Spiers said the event was the first to be held with the centre, and was designed to make the dentist office less intimidating.
ERH oral health educator Marcia Spiers reading to the Berrimba kids.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“It’s about making a fun, interactive visit where it’s not threatening and takes away that anxiety,” she said.
“We’re hoping we can make them feel comfortable in coming and using our services, and know it’s free and accessible.”
Ms Spiers hoped the visit would encourage the kids’ parents to continue accessing the services provided by the hospital.
Kids exploring the dental office.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Marli McKenzie, Uncle Narjic Burns and Eli McGrath.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The childcare centre is one of 30 early learning services in the region supported by the Smiles 4 Miles program, which helps to promote strong oral health in children.
Berrimba teacher Emma Taylor said the centre had been part of the program for many years.
Berrimba Childcare Centre actively promotes good oral health habits.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“We want children to have really healthy baby teeth, so therefore they have really healthy adult teeth,” she said.
“We work with children from zero to five, and we want to promote happy, healthy teeth.”
The centre brushes the kids’ teeth every day, and is currently taking part in a dry brush program, meaning no water is used, to keep fluoride in the mouth.
Marli McKenzie in the chair.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
All children had a go in the dentist’s chair.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
New data from an Australian Dental Association survey found around 1.5 million kids across the country were missing out on a free dental scheme for children.
The survey found the Child Dental Benefits Schedule was underused due to confusion around eligibility.
ADA president Dr Chris Sanzaro called on the Federal Government to better promote the scheme and clarify its basic elements.
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