You get a toothbrush, and you get a toothbrush!

As a follow up activity to our hand washing and toothbrushing campaign in June, we went back to the school where we built the sink and had another great day of rotations, education, and fun. We had always planned on doing a second activity to reinforce the information we shared at the first activity, but the seriousness of this need became quite apparent to us since our first activity. Since then, we've participated in health checks with the Thaton clinic and seen for ourselves just how bad these children's teeth are. Literally, some of their teeth put the 'cave' into 'cavity'..it sounds terrible but it's true! There is a serious lack of dental care here and we are happy to be able to do something about it.

We had supplies donated by Graf Orthodontics and Crest, and they added a LOT of excitement to the day!

Rob giving the kids instructions before we began

The kids participated in 5 rotations: a flossing demonstration, memory game, toothbrushing instruction and practice, fact race, and hand washing activity. Each activity was carefully crafted to incorporate practice, importance, and of course fun! 

Toothbrushing activity. The kids ate Oreos, examined their teeth to see how dirty they had gotten, listened to some toothbrushing instructions, and then put it into practice by brushing their own teeth. Another look in the mirror and their teeth looked much better!

Memory game. The kids matched each hygiene-related picture to its duplicate.

Flossing activity. I'll add the source later when I find it again, but we got this idea online where paint, a glove, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and some yarn helps demonstrate the importance of flossing. It was probably my favorite activity!

Hand washing station. Green gloop doesn't stand a chance against these kids and their handwashing skills.

A fact race about toothbrushing and hand washing. The kids had to compete against each other to try to put the information in the right place the quickest.

At each station the children earned a ticket which was put into a raffle for t-shirts at the end of the activity.

Rob reading the winning numbers and Justin starting off the hi five line.

Anxiously waiting with their tickets right where they can see them.

The kids graciously bowed when they accepted their prizes.

A duffle bag full of goodies!

Justin handing out toothbrushes as quick as the kids could take them. We felt like Oprah, giving away free stuff and all.

Group pictures with the school and all the HELP volunteers who participated.

These kids love their hi fives!

We had a lot of fun doing this activity, but more importantly we hope it makes an impact on a big problem in school children. We don't want any more children to have to endure the cavernous cavities we've seen in other children in this area. We hope that the exciting rotations and free goodies, as well as the sink, will make a difference for these children!