Lennon, Emily, Nova, Sophie Thus, Colt, Demi Irwin and Maeve show off their smiles with Chomp the dinosaur.
It may have been only open for less than three months, but Echuca West Journey Early Learning Centre is already putting dental health front and centre this Dental Health Week with the Smiles 4 Miles program.
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On Tuesday, August 4 the centre received a visit from Echuca Regional Health dental nurses who read a story about going to the dentist, demonstrated proper brushing habits, and checked and applied fluoride to the children’s teeth.
EWJELC manager Rachuel Roberts said she was thrilled to have joined the program during the centre’s first few months.
“I think it’s a great start for children to have,” Ms Roberts said.
“To get them involved (with the program), it gives parents a happy medium to know that children coming to our centre have access to dental care rather than having to travel for it.”
Nova gets her teeth checked by dental nurses Sophie Thus and Demi Irwin.
Photo by
Louie Cina
The program is an initiative by Dental Health Services Victoria, using early childhood services to promote dental health through policies, education and family engagement.
It operates in parts of Victoria that have a higher risk of tooth decay for children aged five years and under.
Delivered locally by ERH, 29 registered centres across Campaspe Shire receive free dental screenings, fluoride applications and dental health education throughout the program’s two-year duration.
Centres earn their Smiles 4 Miles award by working through criteria, including training for educators, the delivery of dental education for students and family engagement activities based on the three key messages of drink well, eat well and clean well.
Ms Roberts said that programs such as this that built habits from a young age were invaluable.
Maeve gives Chomp’s teeth a clean with help from Sophie Thus and Demi Irwin.
Photo by
Louie Cina
“We know that good oral health is essential to overall health and wellbeing, and we also know that good habits are learned early in life,” she said.
“That’s why we are encouraging positive oral health habits within our centre and supporting families to continue these healthy practices at home.”
