The dental hygienist will show the children how to brush their teeth properly. Photo: MČ Prague 13
World Oral Health Day is celebrated every year on March 20. Its aim is to draw attention to the importance of a healthy mouth and to raise global awareness of the essential role of good oral hygiene in the prevention of tooth and gum disease at any age. In 2024, this educational event is focused on the role of parents in managing children’s oral hygiene. The management of the Prague 13 Town Hall traditionally joins Oral Health Day and this year prepared a rich educational program for primary school pupils. Lucie Steinerová, spokeswoman for the city district, informed about it.
During March and April, the dental hygienist will gradually visit 31 first and 6 preparatory classes of elementary schools, where the children will learn about proper dental hygiene and the prevention of tooth decay. There will also be sample tools and small gifts.
A special program for Oral Health Day took place in cooperation with the AKESO POLICLINIK in Prague’s Nové Butovice, at the Mezi Školami Faculty Elementary School on March 22. Trained students of the 3rd Faculty of Medicine of the University of Applied Sciences of the Faculty of Dental Hygienist visited the first-level classes and showed the children the correct technique for cleaning not only the teeth, but also the spaces between the teeth. They gave advice on how to use suitable appliances, how to take care of the oral cavity in general and how important healthy eating habits are. Children also received small rewards for brushing their teeth well.
“Our district regularly joins World Oral Health Day, and we appreciate the great interest of the schools that participated in this year’s event. Teeth are the business card of every person and most diseases can be prevented very well, therefore sufficient attention should also be paid to the care of the oral cavity. This year, the event is aimed at children, and the bigger it makes sense,” Mayor David Vodrážka (ODS) expressed his support for the educational event.
“Parents should start taking care of children’s teeth from the moment their child’s first tooth begins to erupt. Even then, the child begins to acquire the habit of brushing his teeth regularly every day. Parents should also take their child to the dentist very early on, so he gets used to the treatment better and does not fear the doctor, and later the dental hygienist,” explained Petra Křížová, a recognized expert in dental hygiene and at the same time a teacher at the Dental Clinic of the 3rd Faculty of Medicine UK.
“We take care of children’s teeth and dental hygiene on a regular basis, and every year, as part of Oral Hygiene Day, we participate in a program prepared by Prague 13 City Hall for all elementary schools in our district. I believe that such events are an integral part of basic education, and children take away not only gifts from that day, but also a lot of practical information on how to take good care of their teeth,” added Petr Kubička, director of FZŠ Mezi Školami.
