The kids really got an experience they could take a big bite out of!
Here's the backstory…
This was a joint effort.
Practitioners from AV Orthodontics were one half of the team.
A hygienist from The Smile Team (pediatric dentistry) was the other.
The team wanted to discuss which foods are good for our teeth and which are not.
They also wanted to demonstrate brushing and flossing in an interactive way. So, Royal Oak Elementary School teachers were asked to volunteer to wear tooth costumes.
The kids could then line up and practise brushing their teacher in costume.
The audience that day were kids aged 5-8, which is when AV Orthodontics recommends visiting an orthodontist for a first evaluation.
The team spoke to Kindergarten (classroom 122), Grade 2 (classroom 127), and Grade 3 (classroom 126).
All the teachers attended, and the team members spent the whole day moving from classroom to classroom to talk.
On occasion, parent volunteers come to listen in, but this time they didn't.
The team started by introducing themselves and explaining what they do in their offices.
AV Orthodontics explained what a healthy bite is and why it's so important. The practitioners also told the students that they put braces and appliances on teeth.
She explained to the students that she cleans teeth and looks for sugar bugs, and then teaches the children how to brush and floss their teeth properly .
Then, it was question time to get the kids talking. The team asked things such as
The team showed examples of how much sugar is in drinks such as apple juice, chocolate milk, etc., and why water is the healthiest drink.
They talked about good foods that help clean the teeth while we eat them, such as apples.
The students saw actual braces and learned how to clean around them and other orthodontic appliances.
Plastic models of teeth were handed out, giving the students a chance to play orthodontist. The team guided them, asking: "Can you tell me what you see and what should we do?"
And, of course, there was lots of brushing of teachers!
Each student got a swag bag with all the info in it, toothbrushes, etc. Needless to say, that was a big hit!
AV Orthodontics finds that students always love these visits. The kids have so much to share with the team about their personal experiences or those of someone they know.
