Captain Ethan Slater, General Dentist, 5th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron
On Thursday, February 20th, 2025, 12 members from the 5th Medical Group’s Dental Clinic spent the day at the Minot AFB Child Development Center and North Plains Elementary School. During this time, approximately 200 children were taught the importance of daily oral hygiene and healthy nutrition. The students were able to participate in hands-on activities, highlighting proper oral-hygiene techniques and choosing wholesome, nutritious foods. The fan-favorite of the day was definitely “Rex”, the dental dinosaur puppet. After learning the proper brushing technique, each child was able to practice on Rex’s big smile.
It is very important to introduce the concepts of oral hygiene to children while they are young. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, it is recommended to visit the dentist when a child turns one years-old or gets their first tooth (whichever occurs first). This early-age visit allows for disease prevention and familiarization with a dental clinic. Parents should continue to help their children brush their teeth twice per day, once in the morning after breakfast and one more time before bed. Common pitfalls to avoid include giving a bottle of milk to a child as they go to bed, excessive juice/sports drink intake, and frequent snacking of high-sugar foods. Each of these habits can increase the risk for cavities in children at a young age.
As National Children’s Dental Health month comes to an end, it is important to continue to teach young children about the importance of keeping their teeth clean. Happy Children’s Dental Health Month from the 5th Medical Group!
