I am a nursing student and my clinical group is required to do a teaching project. We have chosen to teach three-year-olds the importance of brushing their teeth. I was wondering if you could give us some advice or some teaching aids that we could use to teach these children how important it is to brush their teeth.

One of my best visual aids is a very large set of teeth which are attached to a hinge for opening and closing. To go with this, I have a very large toothbrush. This is what I generally use to show children the proper brushing technique. (Proper brushing technique involves holding the brush at about a 45 degree angle toward the gums, using a small circular motion along the gumline, and sweeping the bristles away from the gumline.) I realize that just getting a three-year-old to brush can sometimes be a challenge, but I always hope I can at least get a few to use good brushing habits. I also encourage parents to be active participants in watching and helping young children brush their teeth. This helps ensure more plaque is removed than if the child is left to brush on his or her own.

The American Dental Association has a good video regarding a child's first visit to the dentist. I have successfully used this seven minute video with many children. They may also have a video about good oral hygiene. I believe you must be a member of the American Dental Association to purchase these videos. Perhaps you could enlist the help of a local dentist who is a member of the American Dental Association.

One of the most effective tools might be to show the children some pictures of what the "sugar bugs" or "cavity bugs" can do to their teeth if proper homecare, including brushing and flossing, is not maintained.

This sounds like a wonderful project to me. Every year, I either go to schools or have children visit my office to learn more about oral hygiene. Most of the children I speak with are preschool age. In my experience, their attention span for one subject is generally rather short. Accordingly, any education seems more successful if the "lecturing" is kept to a minimum and visual aids are used. In addition, I usually give the children a little goody bag with a toothbrush, a timer which indicates the proper brushing time, and a couple of toys. Goody bags reinforce the information you have given the children. Good luck with your project and thank you for educating children about oral health!