To keep a healthy smile for life, oral health care should begin at an early age. MetLife’s Dental Products Division has two guides aimed at helping parents, caregivers and children assess their risk for tooth decay and dental cavities. The MetLife Dental Pediatric Risk Assessment Guides promote improved knowledge about oral health and appropriate levels of dental care among children and their parents and caregivers.

One guide is intended for parents and caregivers while the other is designed specifically for children who are old enough to assess their own oral health care. The guides use a series of questions to help parents, caregivers and children identify personal factors associated with higher risk for tooth decay. The guides are available by download on MetLife’s website.

Also included in the guides are educational information and best practices to reduce risk. Focusing on sugar intake, brushing and flossing habits, and fluoride exposure, the guides also encourage parents and children to discuss preventive measures with their dentist. With dentists and patients working more closely together, it is anticipated that oral health problems will be detected earlier and treatment tailored to meet individual needs.

Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures offers a variety of dental resources for childcare providers. The Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® (BSBF) classroom program combines literacy and oral health into one easy-to-use program. Built upon the Head Start framework, the program enables you to promote early literacy while helping children build good oral health habits that will last a lifetime.

After registering on the website, you can access a video, Dr. Rabbit Comes to School, printed curriculum materials with a 24-page hands-on road map including reproducibles and group activities, a story book for children, mini posters, and parent information.

The MetLife Dental Pediatric Risk Assessment Guides can be obtained online by visiting www.lifeadvice.com and clicking on the heading “Calculators and Tools.”

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