- Introduction
I plan to teach students of grade three about ways and methods they can use to take care of their teeth. Teeth are a vital organ of the body. Healthy teeth are prerequisite for a healthy body. Defective teeth result in malnutrition of the body. Shiny and perfect denture reflects healthy soul residing in a healthy body. The students will be taught the correct method of brushing and flossing of the teeth. The students will be enabled to understand the importance of having healthy dentures.
Reason of choosing grade 3- Grade 3 child belongs to age group of 8-9 years. According to the theory of cognitive development given by Piaget, a child in class 3 is at stage of concrete operational. At this stage, a child can understand the abstract concept of germs and reason to take care of their teeth. The child at this stage can logically reason about concrete events. In accordance to Erickson’s theory a child is aware of his unique self, so it is the correct stage to tap this and motivate child to follow steps to keep him clean.
Contributing to Healthy People 2020 – Child of today is the future of tomorrow. If we nurture the child today with good manners, he will groom up being a respectable adult. Describing and demonstrating good practices like brushing teeth and keeping them clean will support wellness of the individual. Healthy child will become a healthy adult, resulting in the fabrication of a healthy society.
- Objectives
After teaching the lesson on dental hygiene the students will be able to: -
- Identify foods that keep teeth healthy.
- Recall ways to take care of their teeth.
- Present an assembly to showcase the need of keeping teeth clean by brushing and flossing.
- Materials needed / Anticipatory planning
Model of dentures, toothbrush, toothpaste, placards of good and bad food for teeth,3 hardboiled egg,3 jars, water, soft drink, floss, peanut butter, gloves and vinegar. For Guided Practice- Activity 3, the set up should be made at least two days in advance.
- Instruction (The complete lesson will be divided into 4 basic parts.)
Part I- Introduction {45 min}
The teacher will ask interactive questions to test previous knowledge. The teacher will then ask the students to see inside each other’s mouth and show the students model of human dentures. The teacher will ask them about their observations and then explain the following points: -
Teeth
- They are hard white coloured calcified structures present on the jaw.
- They vary in shape and sizes, depending on their function and position in the mouth.
- They help us to chew and digest food.
- We can talk and make sound with the help of our teeth.
- They give shape to our face and help us to smile.
Food and healthy teeth
Ways to keep teeth healthy
Brushing teeth; flossing; following good eating habits; eating less of sugary food and drinks and going for regular dental check-up.
Part II- Lesson {120 min }
Brushing teeth –The teacher will start the class by testing the previous knowledge of the students. It will be an interactive session. The teacher will ask questions like: - How many of the students brush their teeth daily? How many students brush their teeth twice a day? Why do you think that it is important to brush teeth? What will happen if we do not brush teeth regularly
The students will be explained the concept of plaque and formation of cavities.
Plaque
- A thin sticky film of bacteria formed on gums and teeth.
- Eating of sugary and starchy food causes bacteria in plaque to produce acid. The acid attack tooth and causes cavity or hole.
- Cavity or hole formation is the due to the decay of the teeth.
- Removed by regular brushing and flossing of the teeth two or three times a day.
Activity 3- Explained in Guided practice section.
After the experiment, the student will be explained the similarities of the egg to the teeth, as they both are made of calcium. The colour of egg changed to brown will be related to cavities that damage the teeth. The teeth remain healthy if coated with toothpaste. Thus, explaining the essentiality of brushing teeth with toothpaste.
Toothpaste-
- It is used to clean teeth just like soap is needed to bath.
Toothbrush-
- The teacher will demonstrate the proper way of holding it.
- Using a model of dentures, teacher will explain the students about proper method of cleaning and brushing the teeth.
- The quantity of toothpaste to be used on the toothbrush will be demonstrated.
Flossing teeth
Activity 4 - Explained in Guided practice section.
Important points to be discussed during teaching:-
- Floss is a string used to clean between teeth
- Floss removes food, germs and plaque, left after brushing.
- Flossing should be done softly, gently and not pressing down hard.
Part III – Closure {120 min}
Visit to the dentist: - The students will visit dentist and observe his practice closely and critically.
Presentation in the assembly.
Practice of dental hygiene can be enhanced using following poem: -
Brush teeth twice a day, clean them to fight tooth decay
F loss them every day, to keep plaque at bay
Brush your teeth to fight tooth decay.
- Guided practice
Following activities will be performed: -
- Activity 3
Aim: - To explain the formation of cavities and their prevention.
Materials Required: - 3 hard boiled eggs, soft drink, 3 jars, toothpaste and tooth brush.
Procedure: - Coat one of the eggs shell with toothpaste and put it in jar 1 with soft drink. Put one egg without coating of toothpaste in jar 2 with soft drink. Place the third egg in plain water. Allow it to stand untouched for two days.
Observation: - The egg in jar 2 turns brown & the other two eggs remain unchanged.
Conclusion: - This experiment strengthens the importance of brushing with toothpaste as a primary requisite for healthy teeth.
- Using model of dentures, teacher will explain the students about proper method of cleaning and brushing the teeth.
- The quantity of toothpaste to be used on toothbrush will be demonstrated.
- Activity 4
Aim: - To explain the importance of flossing teeth.
Materials required: - A rubber glove, a jar of peanut butter, butter knife dental floss, a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Procedure: - Put on white coloured glove on one of your hand. Spread the peanut butter evenly between your fingers and finger joints. Gloved fingers represent teeth and the peanut butter between them represents the food entrapped between them. Using a toothbrush and tooth paste scrub the peanut butter. But, take care and keep your fingers tightly together. Ask a student volunteer to remove peanut butter between the gloved fingers using a dental floss. The students will be asked to identify which, out of floss and toothbrush did a better job?
- Visit to the dentist.
- Presentation in the assembly.
- Implementation
The lesson plan was effectively put to practice while teaching students of grade 3 in my school. Students enjoyed learning the essence of personal hygiene. They attended class with full interest and enthusiasm. The process of learning by doing was effectively put to practice.
- Evaluation
- References
Denver, CO. Lesson plan ideas & activities. Retrieved from: http://www.deltadentalco.com/uploadedFiles/About/Oral_Health_Lessons/LessonPlanF.pdf
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Academy of General Dentistry. (2012) , What to eat to keep your teeth Today’s nutritional approaches to oral health go beyond "don’t eat sugar. Retrieved from Delta Dental website: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/diet-oral-health.
