A Perfect Pair: Bedtime and Brushing

Posted & filed under Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Partners in Fluoride.

The message of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Brush, Book, Bed has resonated with a group of pediatric dental students, staff, and faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. It has inspired them to create a program (Books, Brushing, and Bedtime) for their patients as well as an age appropriate book tying together the two routines.

AAP Brush, Book, BedHelping parents to understand the importance of early literacy, teeth brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and a regular bed time is a set of messages that can be communicated by dentists, pediatricians, child care providers, and others who interface with families.

Through a pilot study, the AAP also learned that it was very important for pediatricians to give families toothbrushes and toothpaste at well child visits. This served as a reminder to the provider to talk about oral health and also sends a message to families that children’s oral health is important.

Parents can easily remember Brush, Book, Bed and providers enjoyed promoting early literacy and communicating important oral health information at the same time. Brush, Book, Bed information is also available in Spanish on the AAP website for parents, Healthychildren.org.

To start your own Brush, Book, Bed program, check out the AAP Implementation Guide.