Two to three times a year the community dental hygienist
visits StrongStart. This time before she arrived I set up
a mini dramatic play dental area.
Some of the props and posters I’ve had since college,
others I found at the dollar store and some like the plaster teeth
came from a kit I bought from Little Treasures.
Brenda, our hygienist, is very good at helping children become
comfortable before looking at their teeth. She brings her own props,
like the dinosaur with the big teeth and big toothbrush.
She allows them to explore the props, to take the lead.
She doesn’t rush but uses the dinosaur to demonstrate what she
is going to do before trying it with the child.
Brenda checked about 25 children on this visit and she never
rushed talking with the parents, grandparents and caregivers
about the care of the children’s teeth.
She talked about healthy snacks; if eating sticky dried fruit
to provide sliced apples or carrots to help clean the teeth.
To provide water instead of juice when thirsty.
For each child she had a bag with a toothbrush, mirror
and flossing sticks to take home.
She makes us smile!
Thanks Brenda for visiting.
Brenda is such a great dentist. She knows how to get the attention of children. Using the dinosaur stuff toy to demonstrate what you're supposed to do is really a good idea. By doing so, she captured the interest of the kids and really made them comfortable with her.
ReplyDeleteYes Brenda is a wonderful hygienist and terrific with the children. We are so lucky that she is able to visit a couple of times a year.
Delete