Healthy Schools Communications Resources: Oral Health

This page includes basic messaging designed for use by school administrators to promote the topic of oral health among students, parents, and the general school community. Included are:

• Newsletter inserts
• Social media messages

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Healthy Schools contact at HPEPH.

Newsletter Inserts	Audience
What does oral health have to do with school?   Oral health is an important part of your child’s overall health. It can also impact your child’s performance at school – as mouth discomfort can lead to distractions in class and unnecessary absences.   Hastings Prince Edward Public Health visits all elementary schools in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties to provide free visual dental screening for students in Kindergarten and Grade 2. Students in older grades may be screened based on the school that they attend or upon parental request. While this screening can help identify significant concerns, it should not act as a substitute for your child’s routine dental visit.   If your child missed their screening at school, you can arrange for them to receive oral health screening at public health. Find out more about the screening, as well as other oral health supports for kids, at hpePublicHealth.ca/kidsdental.   If you have questions about the Oral Health School Screening program after reviewing the web page above, call our Oral Health program at 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 680.	Parents
Help your child/teen prevent cavities by brushing 2 for 2!   As a parent/guardian, you play an important role in helping your child establish positive oral health habits.  Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases and it’s completely preventable.   Help your child/encourage your teen to brush their teeth for at least two minutes twice a day for healthier teeth, good breath, fewer cavities, and to avoid painful dental problems.   For more information, and supports available through public health, visit hpePublicHealth.ca/kidsdental.	Parents
Could your teen benefit from Ontario’s Healthy Smiles Program   Regular dental care is important to your teen’s overall health, but it can be expensive. Help may be available for your family.   Hastings Prince Edward Public Health delivers the Healthy Smiles Ontario program. Healthy Smiles is a government-funded dental program that provides free preventive, routine, and emergency dental services for children and youth, 17 years of age and under, from low-income households.   Information, including how to apply or re-apply to the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program, is available at ontario.ca/healthysmiles. For more information, or for assistance in completing the application form, call our Oral Health Program at 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 680.	Parents

Social Media Messaging – Elementary	Audience
DYK that oral health is an important part of your child’s overall health? It can also impact their performance at school – as mouth discomfort can lead to distractions in class and unnecessary absences.   Supports and services are available through public health to help. For more information, visit hpePublicHealth.ca/kidsdental.
Are you concerned about your child’s oral health? If you are unable to access a community dental care provider,  preventive dental clinics are offered at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health offices for eligible children and teens, 17 years of age and under, to help keep their teeth healthy.   These clinics are held throughout Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, and are by appointment only. Find more information at hpepublichealth.ca/kidsdental/	Elementary parents
Did you know – Good oral health can positively impact a child’s ability to learn, attend school and eat nutritious foods. Specifically, healthy teeth and gums contribute to promoting overall health, self-esteem, language development, social development, self confidence and conveying of emotions.   Find more information at hpepublichealth.ca/kidsdental/	Elementary parents
Regular dental care is important to your child’s overall health, but it can be expensive. Help may be available for your family.   Healthy Smiles is a government-funded dental program that provides FREE preventive, routine, and emergency dental services for children and youth, 17 years of age and under, from low-income households.   Find out more at ontario.ca/healthysmiles!	Elementary parents

Social Media Messaging – Secondary	Audience
Even though your teen no longer needs help brushing their teeth, parents/guardians can still play an important role in helping establish positive oral health habits.  Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases and it’s completely preventable.   Encourage your teen to brush their teeth for at least two minutes twice a day for healthier teeth, good breath, fewer cavities, and to avoid painful dental problems.	Secondary parents
Are you concerned about your teen’s oral health? If you are unable to access a community dental care provider,  Preventive Dental Clinics are offered at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health offices for eligible children and teens, 17 years of age and under, to help keep their teeth healthy.   These clinics are held throughout Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, and are by appointment only. Find more information at hpepublichealth.ca/kidsdental/	Secondary parents
Regular dental care is important to your teen’s overall health, but it can be expensive. Help may be available for your family.   Healthy Smiles is a government-funded dental program that provides FREE preventive, routine, and emergency dental services for children and youth, 17 years of age and under, from low-income households.   Find out more at ontario.ca/healthysmiles!	Secondary Parents