|
Tooth decay
often affects children from low- and modest-income
households. To help fight the problem, the Delta Dental
of New Jersey Foundation is offering its first Oral
Health Education Initiative Grant to elementary schools
in New Jersey Abbott school districts. Schools use the
grants to launch oral health education programs in their
third-grade classes for the 2007-2008 school year.
Three schools
from separate districts will receive grants of up to
$5,000 each.
To apply for
the grant, a school must develop an oral health
education program comprised of 10 monthly activities
that help children understand:
- Why daily
oral hygiene is important
- How to brush
and floss
- The function
of the dentist and hygienist
- The
relationship between oral health and food choices
- The
relationship between oral health and overall health
The programs
can include monthly activities such as oral health
bulletin boards, field trips to dentist offices, and
readings books about oral health.
"With dental
decay currently one of the most common chronic
infectious diseases among U.S. children, according to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it
is unfortunate that New Jersey's educational curriculum
does not include specific dental education guidelines
past the second grade level," said Diane Belle, vice
president of the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation.
"Through Delta Dental's grant initiative, we hope to
bring attention to the importance of comprehensive oral
health education, and work with educators to instill
good oral health habits early that children can take
with them into adulthood."
Tooth decay is
increasingly a disease of children from low- and
modest-income households, according to the American
Dental Association. The CDC states that among children
suffering from tooth decay, almost 50% remains
untreated. Untreated tooth decay can cause pain and
dysfunction. Children may be underweight, or have a poor
appearance. These all can affect a child's ability to
succeed in school and elsewhere. The good news is that
childhood tooth decay can be prevented through proper
oral hygiene and nutrition.
"Delta Dental
welcomes the opportunity to further educate children,
especially those who are underserved, about the
importance of maintaining oral health and its close
relationship to overall health and well being," said
Belle.
The Delta
Dental Oral Health Education Initiative Grant is open to
all New Jersey Abbott elementary schools that include
third grade. Delta Dental will accept applications until
June 16, 2007. Grantees will be notified before July 31,
2007. For more information, contact Kimberly Elmore at
(973) 944-4555. |
