Brush Up on Oral Health
These Brush Up on Oral Health tip sheets provide information on current practices and practical strategies to promote good oral health for pregnant people, children, and their families – both in the classroom and at home.
Oral health
Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease, but it's preventable. Children with dental pain can have trouble speaking clearly, eating, and learning. Use the resources below to promote a healthy mouth. Learn about proper toothbrushing and other preventive measures and how to find a dentist.
Promoting Children’s Oral Health
This webinar features simple and fun ways Head Start staff and families can promote children’s oral health during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Understanding the Role of Dental Hygienist Liaisons
Every state has a dental hygienist liaison (DHL) to promote good oral health among Head Start participants. Learn about the role of DHLs and how they can help staff promote oral health and prevent oral disease.
Preventing Oral Injuries
Oral injuries to the face and mouth happen often among young children. Explore strategies Head Start staff can use to help prevent these injuries.
Treating Oral Injuries
Even when parents and staff do their best to keep children safe, oral injuries can happen. Learn about supplies to include in first aid kits and how to administer first aid for the most common oral injuries.
Adult Oral Health
Explore information and strategies Head Start staff can use to promote positive oral health practices among pregnant women, parents, and Head Start staff.
Health Literacy, Language, and Culture
Learn how to support pregnant people and parents in obtaining, processing, and understanding information to make appropriate oral health decisions, taking into account families’ language and culture.
Oral Health Promotion
Explore information and strategies Head Start staff can use to improve parents’ understanding of oral health’s impact on learning and to promote positive oral health practices in the classroom.
Fluorides
Learn about the role of fluoride — including fluoride toothpaste, fluoride supplements, fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride, and community water fluoridation — in the prevention and treatment of tooth decay.
Oral Health Care
Explore information and strategies Head Start staff can use to help pregnant women and parents find oral health care, prepare for dental visits, and prepare for oral health issues during a natural disaster.