Presentations and Resources
Get started with sample presentations by age group, discussion ideas, activities, and print and video resources.
2013 National Children's Dental Health Month
Presentations by Age Group
Oral Health Discussion Ideas
Hands-on Activities
Easy-to-do Activities
Games and Animations
Dental Health Speaker
Print and Video Resources
Drinks Destroy Teeth
Presentations
Below are outlines that may be helpful in preparing your presentation. They provide a basic presentation geared toward a variety of age ranges. Use the outlines as a guide and tailor your speech to fit your style and comfort level. Also, adjust the content based on the needs and background of the children.
- Talking About Teeth (preschool – grade 1) (DOC)
- There's Magic in Your Smile (grades 2–4) (DOC)
- Smile Power (grades 4–6) (DOC)
- Smile Appeal (grades 7–12) (DOC)
Oral Health Discussion Ideas
Use these resources for interactive discussions with children about their oral health.
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Topic
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Discussion Idea
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Healthy Habits
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Name some things that you do to keep your body healthy. There are daily health habits that everyone needs to practice, such as eating a proper diet, exercising, bathing, and sleeping. Caring for your mouth is as important as caring for the rest of your body. Cleaning teeth and gums removes a sticky film of plaque. Plaque contains harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay.
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MyPlate Explanation
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Show the USDA 'Choose My Plate' chart to children. Explain/review the food groups and why each is important for healthy bodies and teeth. List the five main food groups on a chalkboard or easel (grain, fruit, vegetable, dairy, and protein). Have children discuss some of their favorite foods and write them under the appropriate group. Bring enough healthy snacks to share with the children and ask them to identify its food group. Free reproducible MyPlate sheets for children are available on the United States Department of Agriculture's website.
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Primary Teeth
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Have children raise their hand if they had a tooth that fell out. Ask one or two children to describe what it feels like without the tooth. Discuss baby teeth. Some teeth are supposed to come out. They are called the "baby" teeth or "primary" teeth. After a baby tooth comes out, another tooth will come in. This new tooth must last for many, many years. You must take extra special care by brushing each day. (See also: Eruption charts: Primary Teeth and Permanent Teeth)
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Tooth Function
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Ask children to make a list of what foods can be eaten without teeth and what foods must be chewed. Without teeth you couldn't chew crunchy foods like carrots, nuts, or apples. Have children pronounce the alphabet and tell which sounds are made by using the teeth, tongue, and lips. If you didn't have any teeth, it wouldn't be easy to say teeth, toys, or toothbrush.
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Hands-on Activities
Hands-on activities can be effective in getting your oral health messages across. The sample activities below can add to an oral presentation and leave lasting impressions.
Easy-to-do Activities
The following activities from the National Children's Dental Health Month Program Planning Guide contain easy-to-do activities that can be done at any time. National Children's Dental Health Month takes place every February and strives to help children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Games and Animations
Visit MouthHealthy’s For Preschoolers or For Kids and Preteen sections to play student-focused dental games and animations based on their age.
Dental Health Speaker
Contact the local dental society in your area to inquire about having a dental health month speaker come to your classroom.
Print and Video Resources
The American Dental Association produces a wide variety of educational materials, including pamphlets, posters, teaching packets and audiovisuals which can be viewed and purchased through the ADA Catalog.
Visit the For Kids video section of MouthHealthy to view the American Dental Association’s award-winning public service announcements, Dudley and Friends.
Drinks Destroy Teeth
A program from the Indiana Dental Association, Drinks Destroy Teeth, is an educational outreach program to inform the public about the potentially harmful oral health effects drinking acidic and sugary drinks.