Angela Owings, BSN, RN Child Care Health Consultant Springfield-Greene County Health Department

“We Brush, Too!” Health Promotion “We Brush, Too!” is a fun, child friendly, hands-on educational dental experience. The program seeks to promote oral hygiene programs in child care facilities. Children receive a toothbrush and toothpaste to take home with them as well.

“We Brush, Too!” In addition, child care facilities partnering with the health department to provide children with a daily tooth brushing opportunity receive all the necessary supplies to implement the program and a one-time replacement of supplies at no cost!

Who can participate in the “We Brush, Too!” childcare dental program?  Child Care Facilities  Homes  Centers  Licensed  Unlicensed  Licensed Exempt  Greene County

Why should we have an oral hygiene program? National Health & Safety Standard Give kids a head start with oral hygiene Shortage of pediatric dentists Few Medicaid providers Dental caries (tooth decay) is the single most common chronic childhood disease: 5x more common than asthma, 4x more common than childhood obesity, 20 times more common than diabetes.

Implementing “We Brush Too!” The following slides are nine steps you can take to make sure your childcare’s dental program is a safe and healthy one.

1.Label Individual Parts Label each toothbrush, holder, toothpaste and cover with each child’s name to prevent any chance of mixing them up.

2. Clean Sink If you are using a hand-washing sink, wash, rinse, and sanitize the sink before and after brushing teeth.

3. Wash Hands and Wear Gloves if Needed. Wash your hands before assembling supplies. Wash your hands after you assist a child brush their teeth or if your hands or gloves become contaminated with a child’s saliva, etc. Remember, providers should always wear gloves if there’s a chance of contacting saliva, blood or other bodily fluids.

4. Provide Supervision Assist no more than 2-3 children with tooth brushing at one time. Assure children are using their own toothbrush to prevent sharing or borrowing. Apply toothpaste for children so the correct amount is used each time.

5. Dispense the Toothpaste Put individual pea size (or smaller amounts for children under age three) of toothpaste on clean foil, wax paper, craft stick or plate about an inch apart. Then swipe the bristles of each brush across the toothpaste-be careful not to touch where another child’s brush has been. This method of applying toothpaste prevents spreading germs from one toothbrush to another.

6. Rinse Mouth Help each child rinse their mouth to prevent swallowing of fluoride. If cups are used, use single service or wash, rinse and sanitize cups after each use.

7. Dry and Cover the Brushes Let toothbrushes air-dry. Do not allow brushes to touch each other. Covers may be used if they have holes to allow for quick drying.

8. Safely Store and Handle Toothbrushes, Toothpaste and Cups  Store outside the bathroom and out of children’s teach.  Store away from anything that could possibly contaminate supplies.  Wash, rinse and sanitize toothbrush holders weekly and as needed.

9. Replace the Brushes  Replace each brush every 3-4 months (or sooner in the case of frayed bristles, chipped or broken handles).  Toothbrushes should be child or toddler size with soft bristles.  Currently, neither the American Dental Association or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend toothbrush replacement after recovering from a cold or other infectious illness.

Guidelines for Oral Care Licensing Rules & Regulations 19 CSR Sanitation Requirements: (D) If toothbrushes, combs, hairbrushes or other personal care items are used, they shall be individually air-dried and labeled with each child’s name.

In Addition to “We Brush, Too!” Teach children how to brush properly. Read books about going to the dentist and tooth brushing Set aside a time in your routine for daily brushing.

February is National Dental Month for Children For more information on children’s dental health please visit the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website at Dental information for all ages is also available at the American Dental Association website at

References American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. (2011). Caring For Our Children: National health and safety performance standards; Guidelines for early care and education programs. 3 rd Edition. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; Washington, DC: American Public Health Association. Also available at Retrieved on 4/24/2014 at