Winning smiles bring awards for kinders

EIGHT Casey kindergartens have been presented with awards for encouraging their children to keep their teeth clean and their smile beautiful.
The awards were given after the kindergartens took part in a state-wide oral health promotion program for preschool aged children called Smiles 4 Miles, funded by Dental Health Services Victoria.
Training, resources and support at the kinders aimed to promote three key messages:
• Drink Well: Limiting sweet drinks and encouraging children to drink plenty of tap water.
• Eat Well: Encouraging children to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods including fresh fruit and limiting pre-packaged foods that are high in sugar and/or fat.
• Clean Well: Promoting good oral hygiene and encouraging children to clean their teeth at least twice a day – after meals and before bed.
The local kindergartens with the best smiles that received the awards were James Cook, Hallam Gardens, Strathaird, Strong Drive and Autumn Place Kindergartens, Hampton Park East, Pearcedale and Valley Brook Pre-Schools.
Community care and health promotion manager Sophia Petrov said 89 per cent of children across the eight participating kindergartens bring fruit and vegetables in their lunchboxes and 87 per cent of children drink water instead of sweet drinks.
“Research has shown that 57 per cent of children in Victoria experience tooth decay by the time they enter primary school, so I commend the participating kindergartens for their commitment to improving the dental and general health of children in the City of Casey,” Ms Petrov said. For further information about the program contact Smiles 4 Miles project officer Nicole Paulsen on 9705 5200.