It’s said, feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. So, this season, we’re sharing how we feel: Childcare providers are at the top of our gratitude list! We thank you for all you are and do for the children in your care–from brushing little teeth to modeling good health behaviors. We appreciate your commitment, wisdom, passion, and vision for the well-being of children.
Our Tooth Talk gratitude list highlights the top changes and advances in North Carolina dental health that are making it easier to protect children’s healthy smiles.
We’re thankful for...
- The courage and dedication of childcare professionals during COVID: You are essential to the healthy growth and development of children in every way, and the "wind beneath the wings" of so many parents working essential jobs during this stressful time.
- Creative, educational programs and training that help childcare pros do an even better job...things like Tooth Talk’s Brushing Is Fun elearning, Into the Mouths of Babes fluoride varnish training, and Smile Crusaders.
- Recent guidance that supports reinstating brushing in the classroom during COVID.
- Healthy, tasty, kid-friendly snacks in grocery stores: plentiful fresh fruits and veggies, whole grain crackers, and a wide variety of cheeses.
- More pediatric dentists in North Carolina than ever–dedicated professionals who specialize in caring for little teeth.
- Affordable toothbrushes and toothpastes. Low price dollar stores now have a variety of low-cost, high quality toothbrushes and brand-name fluoride toothpastes.
- Better access to good dental health care at pediatric and family physician offices. These healthcare pros are providing oral health screenings and fluoride varnish at regular medical and well-child visits.
- Technological advances that replace stressful and expensive hospitalizations of children for dental work, such as silver diamine fluoride, a treatment painted on children’s teeth to protect teeth and help stop tooth decay.
- Plenty of quick and easy education tools with the latest updates and tips on good oral health for children, such as Toothtalk.org, GoNapSacc.org, MouthHealthy.org, and the State of NC Oral Health Section, publichealth.nc.gov/oralhealth/index.htm.
- The free Tooth Talk web apps for parents and providers showing toothpaste amounts for children.
