Snacks handed out to promote dental health
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Apr 06/01) - Students at Samuel Hearne school were lining up last week to get something that will help their teeth last a lifetime.
"Cheese is the best snack to eat. It coats the teeth, provides teeth with calcium, which is in milk. It fights cavities," said Lisa Rettman, a dental therapist who handed the out tasty snack, along with crackers, on March 27 to celebrate Cheese Day!
Rettman said the event was a big hit, as was evidenced by the large number of students who crowded around her after she entered Jessica Kant's Grade 3 and 4 classroom.
Cheese Day was an early kickoff to dental health month.
"The purpose of dental health month is to focus people on better oral hygiene, and to encourage more oral hygiene," said Rettman.
Earlier this week a toothbrush exchange was held at SAMS. Students brought in their own toothbrushes, plus others in their households, and could exchange them for new ones.
"I've got things going on in the preschool with the toothbrushing program and a fluoride program," Rettman said.
As well, Rettman is putting up a display of all the things the dental therapy program has done over the past year at the hospital.
In the last week of April, students from Kindergarten up to Grade 3 will participate in a door decorating contest, with dental health being the theme. A prize will be handed out to the winning class.
Rettman, who works for the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board, has held her current position for about 18 months and said she's noticed a decline in cavities.
"Things are working as we're doing more and more prevention, as opposed to just treating."
Great news to everyone except the Tooth Fairy.
