PRASAD CDHP’s school-based health program works closely with school nurses, school administrators, parents, teachers, students, local health care providers, business leaders and representatives from children and family service agencies.
Read what first graders say about this program!
Since 2004, in collaboration with Sullivan County Community College, PRASAD Children’s Dental Health Program has provided materials for students from the college’s Nursing Program to deliver dental health education classes to local elementary school children. The nursing students use stories and oversized props to show and tell children about their teeth, and how to care for them. Each child also receives a toothbrush and other dental care supplies so they can start putting into practice what they have learned.
At elementary schools and state-run schools, PRASAD CDHP’s staff also provides education, and dental health screenings. One recipient is Josue. A PRASAD CDHP patient since the age of four, Josue has learned a lot from our dental health education classes. He doesn’t drink soda because, he says, “It has too much sugar.” Most importantly, he brushes twice every day, and gets a dental check-up two times each year. Here, Josue smiles his way through his dental screening.
At middle schools, PRASAD CDHP modifies its approach to engage slightly older children in developing good oral health practices. Along with screenings, PRASAD CDHP’s representatives also provide a more mature level of dental health education, and a clear message about the importance of caring for our teeth and the consequences of neglecting them, such as cavities, infection, and pain. This student just had her dental screening and learned that her teeth are, “Fantastic!”
