Students at Iola Elementary School are learning that reading and healthy smiles go hand in hand. Throughout the week, the school library has been hosting a special dental health-themed storytime, giving younger students a fun introduction to caring for their teeth.
The program, organized in partnership with Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK), combines books, hands-on lessons and take-home toothbrushes to encourage healthy habits during Dental Health Month.
Mona Melvin, library paraprofessional at IES, said the initiative has grown over the past few years. What initially began as outreach for preschool classes has expanded into a schoolwide effort that rewards both reading and dental care.
“We started by giving out full dental kits — toothbrush, toothpaste and floss — but we ran out of those because we’ve been giving them out all month,” said Melvin.
Now they’re down to just toothbrushes.
The library features a special display of dental health-themed books aimed at older students. When students check out one of the books and record it in their reading logs, they earn a toothbrush as a reward.
For preschool students, the program looks a little different.
Because younger children don’t have access to the older-age reading material, Melvin brings the lessons directly to them during scheduled class visits in the library. “We talk about dental health a little bit and try to be on their level,” said Melvin.
The storytime lessons focus on simple, age-appropriate messages about brushing, flossing and keeping teeth healthy. By presenting the information through books and discussion, the program helps students feel comfortable, and even excited, about dental care.
After Melvin finishes reading to the preschoolers, she invites them up one at a time to practice brushing teeth on a play model. Their reward for doing so is a free toothbrush.
The books, toothbrushes and materials used during the month were provided by CHC/SEK.
Melvin said programs like this are especially important because they reach children early and reinforce habits that can last a lifetime.
