First grade is an important time for students to learn about dental hygiene as they tend to start losing the majority of their baby teeth during this period. Crestview first grade teachers reached out to Talia Head from Fortner Dentistry to schedule a visit with their students and to coincide with National Children’s Dental Awareness Month.

During the month of February, Crestview teachers also started incorporating toothy facts and lessons into their social studies and health lessons.

The students read trade books about facts and fiction and must sort out facts from fallacies about toothcare. They discussed their experiences with tooth fairy experiences and watch Kermit the Frog videos about teeth - of which he has none. They examine X-rays of adult and children’s teeth, and learn a song, to sing while brushing, to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”  

Up like a rocket, down like the rain, 

back and forth like a choo-choo train.  

Once in the morning, again at night, 

keeps our teeth all shiny and bright! 

By the time Head came to visit the class, the students were excited to ask their questions and learn straight from the expert. Students were interested in learning about how to have healthy teeth, the process of losing teeth, and growing new ones.  

Head has been visiting Crestview for years to show the students how to take care of their teeth, review good and bad eating habits, and introduce them to what they’ll encounter when they visit the dentist and hygienist. 

This year, she also brought a Tiger with human teeth and demonstrated how to brush properly. Additionally, the Wolfforth-Masonic Lodge donated toothbrushes and dental supplies for the students to use and learn about!