Students Emphasize Good Habits during Dental Health Month

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and the Academy Dental Assisting students recently taught the preschoolers in the Early Childhood Education Program the proper way to brush their teeth. The Eastern Long Island Academy of Applied Technology is the Career and Technical Education Program of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, with campuses in Bellport, Oakdale, and Riverhead.

During a collaborative event, the dental students used a variety of toys and worksheets to demonstrate ideal brushing and flossing techniques to the youngsters. Toys included extra-large, inflatable molars; oversized toothbrushes; toy dental sets; and graphic worksheets. Next, preschoolers watched an animated video about healthy hygiene and then sat in the dental chairs for a free screening. Screenings were performed by the dental assisting teacher and the former teacher (she now works in another capacity at the school), both of whom are registered dental hygienists. “This collaboration provided my students with hands-on interaction with pediatric patients and the opportunity to learn and assist in real-time as I performed screenings,” explained Dental Assisting Teacher Tierney Marzigliano.