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Whether you’re five, 45, or 75, I think we can all agree that brushing our teeth is good, basic hygiene. Public health is at the center of what Louisville Water does every day. Did you know we have a team of educators teaching local students not only the value of water and where it comes from but also the ways they use it for good health habits like washing their hands and brushing their teeth?
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and every year, Louisville Water Community Relations Specialist Barbara Crow takes her message to libraries and classrooms across the area. She works with high schoolers and college students who are aspiring dentists and hygienists, who then use what they learned to teach elementary kids.
“We’ve been working with the local dental community for over 25 years. It’s a great partnership and it has helped get important dental health information into the hands of thousands of school age children and their families,” Crow shared.
Crow also shows kindergarteners, first graders, and second graders why it’s important to brush their teeth and the right way to keep that healthy smile. She started her lesson on Monday afternoon at Lincoln Elementary Performing Arts with an auditorium full of first graders. When asked what Louisville Water does, two quick answers were that we provide water for, “Water parks,” exclaimed one child, while another said, “Water fountains.” A third classmate shouted out that we “Clean water.”
As for where the water comes from, obviously Louisville Water must, “Fill up a big thing and water goes through pipes to come out of our sink,” one child explained.
Once Crow taught the group a fun song about our true water source, the Ohio River, it was time to focus on using water for good oral health. One easy way to do that is by brushing our teeth. Hands quickly shot up from kids who wanted to demonstrate in front of the class how to brush and floss.
“Anytime I teach, I try to incorporate a hands-on activity. It really reinforces the message when they hear it, see it, and actually participate in the toothbrushing demonstration. Hopefully it helps them remember the correct way to brush when they get home,” Crow said.
Another important part of the lesson included pointing out some of the foods, snacks, and drinks that might not be as healthy for our bodies compared to water, vegetables, and fruits.
Each student took home a goodie bag with a new toothbrush from Delta Dental, toothpaste compliments of the UofL School of Dentistry, a coloring book with dental- related games, and a refillable Louisville Pure Tap® bottle!
