The Rotary Club of Kihei Sunrise presented the "Keiki Dental - Catch a Smile" project for the second year at two Kihei elementary schools. It was designed to improve the oral health status of children by prevention through education.
Interactive activities involved students from the UH-Maui College Dental Assisting Program, dentist Dr. Sonia Gupta, pediatrician Dr. Fely Livaudais, Kihei Sunrise Rotarians and the 1st-grade classroom teachers at Kihei Elementary and Kamalii schools.
The children had the opportunity to participate in a classroom activity and a hands-on activity held in the cafeteria.
Article Photos
Rotary Club members Ron Capanash (left) and John Musser pose in their “Good” and “Bad” tooth fairy costumes after visiting 1st-grade classrooms at Kihei Elementary School for the Keiki Dental Project.
In the classroom, students learned about good oral hygiene habits including brushing, flossing and eating "good" foods. Students were then given cutouts of "good" and "bad" foods and were introduced to costumed good and bad "tooth fairies."
In the cafeteria, children were divided into groups and learned proper brushing and flossing techniques using the supplies in goodie bags.
The total cost of the project for both schools, including all necessary supplies and a goodie bag for 300 children, was less than $600 - the cost of two fillings for one child, according to a news release.
