Dentistry Faculty Participate in Elementary School 'Brush-Off'

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 23, 2012) − Students at Booker T. Washington Academy in Lexington had special guests today when Sharon Turner, dean of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry and Sue Humphreys, associate professor of periodontics at UK, taught proper brushing techniques as part of an event to reinforce the Governor's initiative to improve the dental health of Kentucky's children.
 

During the hour long rally sponsored by United HealthCare and Fayette County city officials, Turner and Humphrey explained effective brushing techniques and invited students to mimic the techniques in a 'dry run.' Students were given toothbrushes, toothpaste and bowls with water to brush using the two-minute rule - the recommended length of time the American Dental Association says we should brush our teeth twice a day. The students went home with the toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand mirrors and t-shirts to use what they learned to continue healthy brushing habits.
 

“A lifetime of better health, which must include oral health, begins with good habits formed in childhood," Turner said. "We can combat dental disease by making wise choices about food and drink and practicing good home care to keep our teeth and gums healthy. The mouth is the window to the rest of the body- without a healthy mouth, many other parts of our bodies suffer. At the UK College of Dentistry, we are all about education- not just of dental students- but of anyone we can reach with our message about the importance of good oral health. Teeth are not something we can do without and have a healthy long life.”
 

In 2009, Beshear's administration launched a three-year, $2.2 million initiative called 'Healthy Smiles Kentucky' to improve dental health for children in eastern Kentucky.  The initiative initially focused on creating a training curriculum to teach Kentucky dentists effective techniques in working with young children. It also includes community oral health coalitions, programming that helps children access dental care, and funding to provide preventive oral health services to 25,000 elementary school children in Appalachia.