Happy Smiles for Little Teeth
A toolkit for dental hygienists making a difference in their early childhood community
Join the movement to improve children’s oral health! Dental hygienists can be vital partners in supporting early childhood programs, like Head Start, across the country. One of the greatest health challenges facing children enrolled in these programs is lack of access to oral health care. By collaborating with local programs, you can make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of young children and their families.
Benefits for Dental Hygienists
- Expand your community outreach
- Engage in opportunities for professional development and leadership
- Strengthen public health skills
Impact on Children
- Help ensure children are meeting oral health milestones
- Help prevent early childhood tooth decay
- Foster lifelong healthy eating and oral hygiene habits
How to Get Involved in Local Early Childhood Programs
1. Reach Out to Local Early Childhood Programs
- Find a local program in your area
- Looking for a Head Start program? Use this Head Start Program Locator.
- Contact the director of the early childhood program. Use our customizable letter template.
Customize this sample letter to email an early childhood program director as an introduction.
Subject: Partnering to Support Oral Health in Your Program
Dear [Early Childhood Program Director],
I hope this message finds you well. My name is [insert name, credentials], and I am a dental hygienist with a passion for improving the oral health of young children in early childhood programs.
I would love an opportunity to collaborate with your program and offer support in the following ways:
- Identifying oral health resources
- Serving on a health advisory committee
- Answering questions and assisting with dental referrals
- Sharing oral health information with staff, parents, and children at meetings and events
I would appreciate the chance to discuss how I can contribute to your program’s oral health efforts. Could you kindly connect me with the appropriate person on your team to explore opportunities for collaboration?
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the possibility of working together!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
2. Understand the Early Childhood Program’s Needs
Schedule a visit with the program director to learn about oral health challenges faced by children in their care. Access to oral healthcare remains one of the most significant health challenges for children in limited-resource environments nationwide.
3. Create an Action Plan
Work with your local early childhood program to develop activities that improve staff and family understanding of oral health while strengthening their prevention skills. Consider activities such as:
- Participating in any health-related committees
- Providing oral health education to staff, parents, and children
- Exploring opportunities to provide preventive oral health care as allowed by your state practice act
- Helping connect families with local dentists for care
For more activities in early childhood settings, check out: How Dental Hygienists Can Improve Oral Health for Head Start Participants
Explore More Valuable Oral Health Resources
Already Volunteering in an Early Childhood Program?
We’d love to hear about it!
Record a quick video to share your experience, inspiration, what you learned and what approaches were most effective.
• Smile before you start and stop recording.
• Introduce yourself; include your state
• Record what you’d like to share
• Re-record as often as you like. Then submit!
Record Here
Prefer to upload? You can! Use the same link above.
Ready to make a difference?
Contact your local early childhood program today and help improve children’s oral health for a lifetime!