Dental Public Health Activities: Descriptive Summaries

Tooth Tales is an oral health education program targeted to school-aged children and parents.  Education sessions are held during public library “Story Time” programs for pre-school and elementary school students.  Sessions include a demonstration on proper brushing technique, read aloud oral health themed children’s books, and the distribution of toothbrushes to children and oral health education resources for parents. 

Tooth Tales is being piloted in the 2011-2012 school year, with initial sessions beginning in January of 2012.  The program was implemented to determine whether libraries are a viable mechanism for educating children/students and parents, particularly during the summer months when schools are not in session.

Lessons Learned:

• To ensure adequate attendance and cost effectiveness, it is important to target libraries with active children’s departments. 
• Utilize a variety of visual aids such as teaching puppets, posters/props and interactive activities to engage children in the learning process and reinforce key oral health messages.
• Distribution of tooth brushes reinforces the key message of tooth brushing.

Contact Person(s) for Inquiries: