Dental health important for kids

Courtesy photo

Julia Bodden with the Community Health Center helps BCA students understand brushing their teeth.

The St. Charles Community Health Center is celebrating National Children's Dental Health Month with special events.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 40 percent of U.S. children will have tooth decay before the age of five. Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, but Dr. Cynthia Caldwell DDS of St Charles Community Health Center says that 90 percent of it is preventable. 

Each February, dentists and dental specialists reach out to the community to spread the word about the importance of good dental care for children. The health center wants to remind parents that healthy dental habits for kids begin in the home. Caldwell encourages parents and caregivers to "Get it Done in Year One" by visiting a dentist when the first baby tooth appears, which enables the child to begin a lifetime of preventive dental care and helps to minimize tooth decay and cavities. 

The center enter would like to encourage parents to celebrate this event by scheduling a dental appointment for their child's routine dental examination. The center is holding a special event in which children who keep an appointment with Caldwell will be entered into a drawing to win an iPod. At the end of each appointment, the child will also be give a packet with dental health goodies. Center staff is also available to provide outreach to schools and daycares on the importance of good oral health care by using Mr. Alligator as a way of demonstrating proper brushing technique

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Caldwell call (985)785-5800, or to have a demonstration at your school or daycare call (985)785-5830.