Ideas for a First Grade Dental Health Center

Health centers can be held at your local school and can change topics  throughout the school year. When the topic is dental health, there are many ways to inspire the kids and teach them how to keep their teeth healthy for the rest of their lives.

What teeth are and how they grow is a good starting point. Kids at the first grade level are often losing their first baby tooth. Charts, videos and dental models showing how adult teeth replace the lost baby tooth can help children understand what is going on in their mouth. 

Bushing, and flossing is the most important routine a child can develop. At the Dental Health Center, a model of a tooth and a demonstration tooth brush to show children how to brush their teeth. Pictures of the consequences of not brushing teeth can reinforce good habits. The lesson plan should include brushing after meals and how food affects tooth enamel.  Place a hard-boiled egg including the shell in a jar of vinegar will give a graphic impression of how acids from sweets affect kid's teeth.

Tooth puppets made by the kids decorated with eyes, and a big bright smile. Other ideas include coloring books, a book corner with grade appropriate literature. Invite a local dentist to come and give a demonstration to the class about proper tooth care and some information about the transition from baby teeth to adult teeth.

Egg cartons can make excellent tooth flossing and brushing projects for the class. Using inexpensive materials, the children can make their own mouth, decorating each tooth then showing how to brush and floss their teeth. activities such as this bring individuality, creativity and fun learning to the Dental Learning Center.