Horsham early childhood service Goodstart Early Learning is one of seven early childhood services to join the 2021 Smiles 4 Miles program to improve the oral health of the children, staff and families at the service.
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Smiles 4 Miles is an oral health promotion program developed by Dental Health Services Victoria and implemented by Wimmera Health Care Group throughout the Horsham region to improve children's oral health, their families, early childhood staff, and the wider community.
Services achieve the Smiles 4 Miles award by implementing healthy eating and oral health policies, engaging with families about the importance of oral health, and educating children through various fun learning experiences based on the Smiles 4 Miles key messages: drink well , eat well and clean well.
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WHCG Community Health nurse Janine Harfield said the program was a great way to help children have healthy teeth and gums for life.
"Good habits are formed early," Ms Harfield said.
"Children take lessons they learn at a young age with them, right up to adulthood. By promoting good oral health behaviours early in life, we can decrease the likelihood of poor oral health later in life."
To help promote the event, every child at Goodstart Early Learning and the six other centres involved is receiving a free toothbrush and toothpaste package to encourage healthy dental care.
Remember the three steps to healthy teeth and gums!
- Drink well: Drink tap water or plain milk and avoid sugary drinks like cordials, juices and soft drinks
- Eat well- Eat a variety of nutritious foods each day and limit sugary foods, particularly between meals
- Clean well- Brush teeth twice daily, adults should help children until at least the age of seven.
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