Sunday, February 15, 2015
FEBRUARY is celebrated as National Children's Dental Month and Jamaica Cosmetic Dental Service (JCDS) is aiming to raise awareness about the importance of oral health in children.
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| Dr Keisha Smith-Pagan examines Luke before his six-month cleaning. |
On February 28, the team, which is led by Dr Anissa Holmes and Dr Keisha Smith-Pagan, is expected to offer free dental cleanings and sealants to 100 children from underserved and underprivileged communities through a community outreach.
The JCDS said children must be registered for this event.
"We (also) invite children between four and 12 years of age across Jamaica to enter our "Defeat Monster Mouth" Colouring Page Competition," said JCDS office manager Melissa Whyte, while inviting parents to visit their website at visit our website at www.jamaicasmiles.com. "Through this campaign, we will reinforce that plaque "monsters" must be removed by effective toothbrushing for good oral health.
She said one child will be selected to win an Ipad mini.
The keys to promoting good oral health at home, according to JCDS, are to have a tooth-friendly diet and encourage good oral hygiene practices.
Tips to promoting good oral health at home
1. Sugar-added and high sugar-content foods and drinks/juices should be consumed at mealtimes and not as snacks. This is because saliva flow increases during meals and saliva helps to rinse food particles away, and neutralise the acids from cavity-causing bacteria found in plaque.
2. Limit between-meal snacks. If kids eat a lot of snacks, they are unlikely to eat at mealtimes. But if offering a snack, give something nutritious, like a fruit.
3. Monitor drink/juice consumption. Between meals, offer water or low-fat milk. more
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