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03-02-06
By Stephen Swanson, 541-737-0789
SOURCE: Inge Daeschel, 541-737-1901
CORVALLIS, Ore. - More than 100 pre-kindergarten children and their parents received hands-on instruction in dental hygiene at Oregon State University's Child Development Center this week.
 Katie Bambe, left, gets some brushing tips from Cathy Golden, a registered dental hygienist, during OSU's "Super Smile Day." Click on image to go to downloadable photo |
Ken Kramer, father of 5-year-old Destiny Kramer, said his daughter knows the basics of tooth care, but Super Smile Day was a terrific reinforcement.
"The Child Development Center does a great variety of programs for children and parents," Kramer said. "And I like the fact that they have a low student-teacher ratio so that the children really do get individualized attention.
"There is also a great diversity of cultures here, which contributes to the great atmosphere."
Child development staff and students, as well as dental hygienists from the community helped coach parents and children in oral health care. Children also had a chance to view a puppet show focused on tooth topics and received a dental care kit that included the book "Brushing Matters," a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.
The Child Development Center is a student training and research program of the College of Health and Human Sciences' Department of Human Development and Family Sciences.
Participating in the event were area dentists Charles Baker and Greg Soriano, registered dental hygienists Karlene Martin and Cathy Golden, the Linn-Benton Dental Hygienists Association, OSU Pre-K Parent Policy Council, Creative Crafts, Linn-Benton Community College Dental Assistant Program and the Benton County Health Department Dental Program.
About the OSU College of Health and Human Sciences: Emphasizing a holistic approach to optimal health and disease prevention, researchers focus on nutrition, physical activity, the psychology of aging improving the health of children and older adults, public policy, access to health care, and maximizing environmentally friendly materials and structures.