South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control - www.scdhec.gov
Oral Health
Early Childhood
- Oral Health Activity Guide for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers (ML-025191) (pdf)
This resource guide has activities for infants through age 4. The “lessons” are designed to involve the very young child in hands-on activities that will acquaint them with their mouth and how to care for their teeth; help them learn to like healthy foods; and encourage them keep their smiles safe. This guide is designed for use in childcare centers serving infants—preschoolers and would be a good resource for homeschool associations and parent and community outreach programs.
- ACTS Training for WIC (pdf)
Powerpoint presentation for the WIC program Ask (if child has a dental home), Check (the child's teeth), Teach (the mother about oral disease prevention) and Send (to the dentist).
- Oral Health 101 Training (pdf)
While the family is the focus of health supervision, an increasing number of South Carolina’s youngest children are receiving routine daily health supervision in early childhood education programs. This course provides child care educators with the knowledge and skills needed to help prevent dental diseases in young children, as well as, how to develop healthy habits in the children and their families that promote good oral health as part of total health.
- Oral Injury Prevention and Emergency Response Training (pdf)
This course provides child care educators, parents, teachers and community program leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent oral injuries. In addition the training provides comprehensive information on how to respond properly to oral injuries that do occur.
- Oral Health for Preschoolers: Parent Information Booklet (ML-025192) (pdf)
This Parent Information Booklet contains information for parents that is developmentally appropriate and based on recommendations from the Bright Futures in Practice: Oral Health By P. Cassamassimo. The sheets are easy to understand and can help parents take an active role in establishing and maintaining good oral health for their child. General topics include taking care of teeth, selecting the right toothbrush and toothpaste, good nutrition, safety, and going to the dentist.
- First Birthday Card (pdf)
A two-sided informational birthday care designed make new parents aware of the importance of beginning oral health care for their infant no later than their child’s first birthday. The card specifically encourages parents to brush their child’s teeth and take them to the dentist by age one. This is an ideal resource for programs that work directly with mothers of infants, in addition to dentist’s and doctor’s offices.
- Flora and Floppy Go to the Dentist Coloring and Activity Booklet and Interactive Video
This lighthearted story details Flora’s return visit to the dentist along with her playful rabbit, Floppy. It helps young children understand what takes place at the dentist and helps them see their dentist as their friend. The coloring and activity booklet is a good resource for early readers. The booklet can be used along with the interactive video and helps to bring the story alive! For copies of the booklet and video, please contact the Division of Oral Health at DHEC, 803-898-0181.
- Pediatric Oral Health Risk Assessment (ppt)
This powerpoint was created by Division of Oral Health staff in 2006 and presented at Grand Rounds at Palmetto Richland Hospital. It not only covers the importance of fluoride varnish to preventing tooth decay in children, but also food choice, keeping mom’s mouth healthy, and an overview of when a child should be referred by the pediatrician to a dentist.
- First Visit (pdf)
When should your child first visit a dentist? This fact sheet gives basic information for parents on the first dental visit.
- SmileCheck (pdf)
Parents can help prevent tooth decay by checking their child's mouth on a regular basis. This flyer shows you how.