Facilitators of Change Nutrition/Behavior Counseling

8. 
   Oral Health for Infants and Children
   

Session outline follows.

1. 
   Opening the session.
   

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  Introductions: Introduce yourself. Give everyone the opportunity to know a little about each other, and to practice speaking to the group. Begin by having each person introduce themselves. They can give their names, their children’s names and ages, or other information you think of.
  
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  Icebreaker Exercise – optional, see earlier section of “Facilitating WIC Discussion Groups.”
  

2. 
   Ask general, non-specific, open-ended questions to open up the discussion and focus the discussion on any of the following topics:
   

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  “Why is dental care important for children?”
  
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  “What helps to get children to brush their teeth regularly?”
  
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  “What prevents children from brushing their teeth regularly?”
  
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  “Why are primary teeth important?”
  
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  “Why are teeth and gums important?”
  
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  “How do you feel if you forget to clean your teeth?”
  
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  “How do you feel after you clean your teeth?”
  
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  “How would things be different if you had no teeth?”
  
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  “How do you feel when the dentist says you have cavities?”
  
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  “I want to take care of my teeth and gums because…?”
  

3. 
   If needed, help refocus the discussion on any of the following topic areas or specific issues:
   

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  Primary teeth
  
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  Teeth cleaning
  
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  Tooth brushing techniques
  
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  Flossing
  
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  Nutrition and dental health
  
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  Dental plaque
  
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  Dental cavities
  
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  Gingivitis
  
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  Fluoride
  
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  Sealants
  

4. 
   Closing the session.
   

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  Summarize the key points of the discussion.
  
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  Thank everyone for their participation.
  
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  Close the meeting.