Helping children learn about the care of their teeth can put in place healthy dental habits that may last a lifetime. There are a variety of resources available for early care and education programs and parents to use to learn more about the dental health needs of preschoolers and to help teach good dental habits to young children.

Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program is targeted to children, parents, preschool teachers/caregivers, and health educators with specific materials and activities for each target group. Now in its 15th year, the award-winning Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® global oral health education program continues to spread smiles to children everywhere. In the U.S. alone, Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® Education program reaches more than four million children and their families every year.

The Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® website has available for early care and education settings downloadable songs, games, posters, a video, a group setting curriculum, storybooks, and more. The parent section includes downloadable printed activities and a 3-D Guide to Brushing.

The American Dental Association’s Smile Smarts is an oral health curriculum for preschool through grade eight students offering flexible, modular lesson plans, support materials, hands-on classroom/group demonstrations, student activity sheets, and suggestions for further oral health activities. The preschool curriculum, for ages 4-7, includes activities, materials, and posters. The curriculum can be downloaded from the ADA website or ordered in a printed version.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Brush Up On Healthy Teeth program includes oral health resources for early care and education settings and parents. The CDC makes available by download or mail tips sheets, posters, and a quiz for parents.

The Cumberland County New Jersey’s AVA Center has prepared an extensive list of internet websites, activities and resources. Many of these resources are designed for preschool age children as well as elementary age children.

Resources

American Dental Association, 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-2678; 312-440-2500; www.ada.org/public/education/teachers/smilesmarts/shining.asp

Bright Smiles, Bright Futures www.colgate.com/app/BrightSmilesBrightFutures/US/EN/HomePage.cvsp

Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Brush Up On Healthy Teeth, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, MS F-10, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717; 770-488-6054; www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/factsheets/brushup.htm

Dental Health Websites, www.atlanticava.org/webandcamsites/dentalhealth.htm