Brushing up on dental care for kids in Kentucky
Maintaining a healthy smile is an important part of overall health.
For children, practicing proper oral health is particularly important. Half of all U.S. kids have at least one cavity by age 9.1 When left untreated, this can be painful and cause problems related to eating, talking and learning.2 This makes it even more essential to start preventive dental care early.
To help teach children about the importance of taking care of their teeth, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kentucky held a Brush-A-Thon event at Portland Elementary School in Louisville.
Led by Krista Hensel, CEO, and Dr. Adam Rich of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kentucky, approximately 300 students learned about dental health, then received guidance on how to brush teeth properly.
Following the discussion, the students took part in a tooth brushing exercise to leverage what they had just learned. UnitedHealthcare’s Dr. Health E. Hound was also on hand to congratulate kids for a job well done.
“When children experience poor oral health, it can affect their well-being — and many of the conditions caused by poor oral health are preventable,” Dr. Rich said. “By teaching children how to properly care for their teeth, we’re helping them establish a healthy habit that will last into adulthood.”
Each of the students in attendance received a toothbrush, toothpaste and a water bottle to take home, to encourage them to continue practicing good dental hygiene.
“It’s a privilege to support children in the Commonwealth,” Krista said. “There is no better place to teach kids the importance of dental health than in a setting where they’re already here learning. Dental health is a part of overall health, and through events like the Brush-A-Thon, we can make a positive impact in the community and help children live healthier lives.”
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