Dental Education

Your teeth are important!
Healthy teeth help your child
chew properly, speak clearly
and smile brightly.

(Information about the fluoride varnish program is located below.)

Oral health is an important part of over-all health. Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in the world today and it is almost totally preventable.

The purpose of the Dental Health Program is to promote good oral health to people of all ages within the community.

Dental health educator coordinators are responsible for determining the oral health needs of communities. The dental health educator coordinator promotes public awareness and provides dental health education and preventive programs.

Dental health topics include:

• dental growth and development
• dental needs assessment data
• dental products
• dental safety and injury prevention
• dental sealants
• denture care
• effects of medications on oral health
• effects of oral disease on overall health
• fluoride
• nutrition and dental health
• oral cancer
• oral diseases
• oral hygiene (infants, children, adults)
• smokeless (spit) tobacco

Dental Health Program Services

Fluoride Program

• Promotion of community water fluoridation
• School-based fluoride mouth rinse programs
• Fluoride Varnish Programs for infants and preschoolers
• Inservices for health professionals

Consultations

Early Childhood Programs

• Postnatal information packages for new parents
• Resources for parents (print information)
• Visual inspection of children

School Program

• Dental screenings of Kindergarten and Grade 1 children every 5 years
• School dental resource kits for teachers
• Classroom presentations
Special Needs Program
• Presentations, displays, and consultations for caregivers, older adults and mentally/physically challenged people
• Consultations with caregivers and clients
Health Promotion/Consultation
• Promote public awareness fo oral health issues through the use of print material, media (newspaper, radio), health fairs, displays, Dental Health Month activities.

LINKS

Canadian Dental Asscociation

American Dental Association

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 

 

The Population Health Department of Sun Country Health Region will offer a fluoride varnish program for children in 2012. Please check the Calendar of Events on the home page of this website for locations and times.

1. What is fluoride varnish?
Fluoride varnish is a sticky protective coating painted on a child’s teeth to prevent cavities. It can also be painted on teeth that already have cavities. Fluoride can slow down or help stop cavities from getting bigger. 

2. How is fluoride varnish applied?
Once the fluoride varnish is stirred well, the teeth are dried with gauze. The varnish is painted onto the teeth using a small disposable brush. The procedure is painless, and the varnish takes only a few seconds to apply. Fluoride varnish is recommended for children of all ages, including infants with teeth.

3. Who can apply fluoride varnish?
Fluoride varnish is applied to the teeth by dental professionals and trained health professionals. A dental professional will do an oral screening to determine how many applications are needed.

4. Is fluoride varnish safe?
Yes. It has been used for several years in many countries. In addition to being safe, it is an inexpensive and easy way to reduce tooth decay.

5. How often should my child have fluoride varnish painted on their teeth?Fluoride varnish may be painted on the teeth one to four times each year. The number of times depends on certain risk factors for tooth decay and/or if your child has cavities. 

6. What should I expect after the varnish is painted on my child’s teeth?
Your child’s teeth may look yellow or cloudy on the first day. The colour will gradually go away and the teeth will return to their normal appearance. It is also normal for the teeth to feel sticky after the application. This, too, only lasts a short time.  

7. After the fluoride varnish is painted on, your child should:  
- Not eat for one hour
- Eat only soft foods at the next meal
- Avoid sticky foods for the rest of the day (fruit leathers, gum, and toffee)
- Avoid brushing their teeth until the next morning.

Obtaining Service

Contact for everyone in the Region: Carlyle Community Health at 453-6307.