Kool Smiles has partnered with the Institute for America's Health (IAH), a nonprofit youth health education organization, to launch a dental education program in recognition of Children's Dental Health Month. The program is designed for children in grades K-5 and includes free lesson plans and toothbrushes to teach students about good oral health.
To support the program, Kool Smiles has set aside 50,000 toothbrushes for teachers who use the curriculum. The toothbrush donation was made possible by Facebook users through a one-for-one campaign, in which Kool Smiles offered a toothbrush for every Facebook "like" they received.
Polly Buckey, DDS, managing dental director at Kool Smiles, explained that the curriculum aids educators on how to demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques, as well as how to develop great oral health habits that will continue into adulthood.
IAH is teaming up with local Kool Smiles dentists to introduce the curriculum in K-5 partner schools across the U.S. as part of its ongoing Way to a Healthier America (WHA) initiative.
The WHA program is designed to foster a culture of wellness in schools by giving teachers training and resources to create positive behavior change in key areas of health, such as nutrition and hygiene, according to Stuart Reese, executive director of IAH.
The K-5 lesson plans are available to all K-5 teachers and can be downloaded directly from the Kool Smiles website. Educators who download the lesson plans will receive free toothbrushes (one for each student in the classroom) to help students practice good oral hygiene.
Each lesson plan is organized by grade level and includes age-appropriate curricula to facilitate a fun and interactive classroom environment. Activities range from coloring sheets and role-playing for younger grades to discussion questions and quizzes for older students.
