The Why, How and Who of Dental Health Month Presentations
National Children’s Dental Health Month is celebrated every February. I learned this at my first Pediatric Dental position when the assistant who typically gave presentations was out sick, and I was given printed MapQuest directions, along with a video and a box of props, to bring to a local preschool.
Not being a fan of public speaking, I nervously stood in front of a group of 30 four-year-olds as I stumbled through. Leaving that school on my drive back to the office, I was deeply fulfilled.
Even today, one of my favorite aspects of dentistry is education, which helps to shape a positive image of both the dental office and dental health.
Why Dental Health Month Presentations Matter
There are many benefits of expanding education beyond the office walls.
Some of the younger children you will meet may have never visited a dental office before and may have built up anxiety. Or they may have been to a dentist, and it was a tough visit. By talking about teeth in the safety and comfort of their classroom, positive, new ideas and attitudes can be formed.
Community outreach and marketing your practice to the students, as well as the teachers who likely have their own families, is vast. Look for geographic areas with a high dental need, regardless of their proximity. Parents will make the commute when their little one comes home excited and looking forward to their dentist visit.
With the housing boom as it is, it’s easy to find new growing areas, but don’t forget the rural, smaller towns as well.
Where to Start
Start early and brainstorm who in your office will be visiting and what you’ll speak about. Then, order the giveaways you plan to send home and label them with your logo.
Remember, this is all the parents will see, so make sure your information is clear and easy to understand.
Visit local daycares and elementary schools to introduce yourself and share your plans. With your already developed content, you can give them an idea of how long the presentation will be and what to expect. Reach out early by sending a simple save-the-date, letting them know you’re looking ahead and offering to add them to your schedule. Let them know you will reach out again at the beginning of the new year with some dates and times.
It’s important to remember that schools are knee-deep in holiday celebrations at the same time your busy offices are prepping for winter break. If you have already secured your spot in November or December, it’s easy to figure out the logistics for a time in February.
Preparation Equals Effective Visits
Too nervous to get up and speak?
Keep it simple and show a short video or read a dental book. Offer coloring sheets or a fun activity showing how to brush and floss. It’s as easy as visiting the ADA website for free, printable posters, coloring sheets, and activity sheets every year.
Here are a couple of tips I wish I’d been told rather than learning the hard way:
- Steer clear of a question-and-answer session, as the shift of your planned content can be sidetracked by long and drawn-out horror stories they’ve heard from older siblings and friends. Remember, younger children are accustomed to the tried-and-true redirect technique their parents already use, so feel free to do the same.
- Be ready to pivot when the age or behavior of the class is not as planned. Keep it simple, and don’t worry if all the information is delivered. It is far more important to seem in control and happy. They’re going to remember less of what you said and more of how you made them feel, regardless of content.
Picking the Right Team Member
Talk to your team and see if any volunteers are willing to go. It may be easier to get a volunteer. The idea of taking a break from the office and stepping out of their daily role is exciting.
There is power in numbers; train as many team members as possible who are interested in this role.
Visit the office and run the presentation with each of them until confidence has been built. Sending two team members and having multiple team members trained in case someone is out sick or needs to be in the office that day is key to success.
A Rewarding Experience
Adding these February presentations to our yearly schedule has made working with children even more rewarding. The idea of helping shape attitudes towards dental hygiene and regular dentist visits at a young age is priceless.
We all know at least a handful of our adult patients who have missed years of visits and have delayed treatment due to anxiety. You have the power to share talent and gifts beyond the office walls and make a lasting impact on shaping their health.
About the Author
Melissa Furrow, FAADOM
Melissa is a Pediatric Dental Practice Manager who has worked in nearly all aspects of the dental office for over 20 years. Melissa lives north of Austin with her husband, with whom she helped build a ground-up dental practice, and her two elementary school children.
Melissa is a lifetime member of AADOM and earned her fellowship designation (FAADOM) in 2013. She is a member of her local DPLN, Central Texas Dental Managers Association, and a member of the Dental Spouses in Business Network.
