LINGLE – Platte River Family Dentistry’s staff visited Lingle-Fort Laramie (LFL) Elementary School’s kindergarten and first-grade classes on Thursday, Feb. 23 in celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM). 

Every February in celebration of NCDHM, the local dentists take turns visiting all of the schools in the area. They have discussions with children about good dental hygiene, how different foods affect healthy teeth and why brushing is so important. 

According to American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s (AAPD) website, adha.org/ncdhm/, “The most common condition among children is largely preventable. According to the AAPD, dental caries/cavities are four times more common than childhood asthma and three times more likely than childhood obesity. For dental hygienists, NCDHM offers a great opening and opportunity to spread the word about how poor oral health and caries impact our kids’ health and quality of life.”

Representing the Platte River Family Dentistry were Dental Assistant Tisha Duffield and Dental Hygienists Gabrielle Rader and Kaylee Kisler. 

For their presentation, they were each dressed up as specific characters to emphasize their narrative. Duffield was the Tooth Fairy; Rader was the Bad Tooth; and Kisler was the Good Tooth. They told the children the proper way to brush their teeth, explained to them which foods and drinks harm their teeth and how much sugar is in their favorite drinks. 

The young children laughed, played games and asked questions to learn more about dental health.

“I think (them seeing us in a different environment) makes us seem a little less scary,” Kisler told the Telegram. “Also, when they see us outside of the clinic, they recognize us when they come in for an appointment and get a little more excited.”

These in-school visits can not only help children get more comfortable with going to the dentist, but they can also help children understand why brushing is so important and learn the proper way to take care of their teeth. These visits can also ensure more children have some understanding of dental care, even if they do not go to the dentist.

“It also helps to hear from somebody that’s not mom and dad or grandma and grandpa, to brush your teeth,” Kisler said. “And a lot of the times, kids come into the office and they’re tired, they don’t want to be there, or they just want to watch cartoons. When we try to talk to them about brushing, a lot of the time they don’t want to listen.”

Visiting the kids at school provides a fun and different environment to teach them important things about dental hygiene. Moreover, kids can focus more on these positive experiences the next time they go to the dentist. As a result, hopefully, fewer children will grow up with anxiety and fears directed toward going to the dentist.