Transforming Children's Dental Experiences
"Mom... I don't want to go to the dentist..."
This is something parents hear multiple times a day if they have kids, right?
Our house was no exception.
Refusing to brush their teeth and getting nervous at the mere mention of the dentist...
But then!
After attending the 'Children's Dental Camp' organized by the Dangjin City Health Center,
the atmosphere at home changed 180 degrees.
"Mom! There are so many germs on my teeth!"
"I pretended to be a dentist today!"
"When they applied fluoride, it felt like my teeth were wearing armor!"
I honestly never imagined I would hear such things from my child.
What is the Oral Health Center at the Dangjin City Health Center?
Located within the Dangjin City Health Center, the Oral Health Center focuses on educating people of all ages about oral health, emphasizing prevention rather than treatment.
The program we participated in was a family-oriented dental health camp for children, which I signed up for with my 6-year-old through Baemunaru.
The hands-on lessons were perfectly tailored to the children's level, making it impossible for me to find an excuse not to attend.
From the start of the camp, the children's eyes sparkled!
As soon as we entered, the children's eyes lit up.
There was no scary atmosphere typical of a hospital, and the engaging explanations kept the kids attentive.
Instead, there were colorful teaching tools and friendly teachers.
When they announced, "Today, we will become dentists!" the children's posture changed immediately.
The camp was filled with valuable activities, starting with oral health education, followed by practical brushing exercises, dental check-ups, fluoride application, and even a photo session.
What lives in my mouth?
This was the moment that fascinated the kids the most!
Seeing the bacteria in their mouths, they exclaimed, "Eew! Is this in my mouth?" and realized why brushing is so important.
We learned that sealing the grooves on molars is covered by insurance to prevent cavities, so we need to check and visit the dentist.
We also learned how to prevent cavities through diet control and regular dental check-ups.
Brushing, is this how it's done?
No matter how much I told them at home, they never listened about brushing... but here, it was different.
Through hands-on practice with tooth models, they learned how to brush the upper, lower, and side teeth correctly, focusing on doing it thoroughly rather than quickly.
My child said to me, "Mom, you didn't brush there!" and "You need to brush from the gums to the teeth!" I was quietly moved from behind.
What is the pink tablet?
It's a magic tablet that shows the remaining 'bacteria + food debris (plaque)' in color.
Areas where cavity-causing bacteria hide and where brushing was insufficient turned pink (or red).
Even if our teeth look clean to our eyes, there can still be transparent plaque on the surface.
When they chewed the tablet and rinsed their mouths, only the areas with plaque changed color.
So the kids looked in the mirror and said, "Huh? I brushed hard, but why is this part pink?" and "It was hiding behind my molars!"
Then came the real key!
They brushed their teeth while still seeing the pink areas.
When the pink disappears → it means they brushed well.
If it stays → it indicates areas that need more brushing. This process was fantastic.
Instead of saying, "You missed this spot!" the kids learned to see, realize, and correct it themselves.
The free fluoride varnish application felt like play rather than treatment to the kids.
As they applied the fluoride, they explained, "This is magic that keeps cavities away," and my child's expression was relaxed.
When my child said, "Mom, it wasn't scary at all!" that was enough reason to attend the camp.
After the fluoride application, we received thorough instructions on care, and even though fluoride applications at the dentist usually cost around 30,000 won, we could get it done for 6,260 won at the health center. So we should definitely come for fluoride treatments every six months during summer and winter breaks.
After the camp, we received toothbrushes, oral care products, and informational materials. The biggest takeaway was when my child said, "Shall we try what we learned today again?"
It was the best way to reduce dental anxiety and establish good brushing habits!
Boosting children's self-esteem with a perfect combination of education, experience, and prevention made me realize that participating in such public programs is far more valuable than sending them to a private academy.
The Dangjin City Health Center is also offering free blood tests for Alzheimer’s risk and is currently recruiting participants for a senior health management project.
They have started registering advance directives for life-sustaining treatment, so if you're interested, please contact the Dangjin City Health Center for detailed information.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/dangjin2030/224160152799
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