DADE CITY, – Tooth decay remains the most common chronic childhood disease in America, yet it’s nearly 100% preventable. That’s the message behind Tiny Teeth Matter, a new community initiative led by Premier Community HealthCare in partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties.
“We were starting to see tooth decay in younger children,” said Cheryl Pollock, chief advancement and community engagement officer with Premier Community HealthCare. “It really led us to look at how we educate families and those that care for children about the importance of early dental care. The vast majority of parents really didn’t know when to start.”
With nearly one in five children ages 5 to 11 experiencing untreated cavities, the initiative focuses on reaching kids early, before dental problems begin, through education, outreach and access to preventive care.
“Our goal is to instill lifelong oral hygiene habits starting from the toddler years,” said Dr. Tara Milligan, chief dental officer at Premier Community HealthCare. “Tiny teeth really do matter. By teaching families how to care for them, we’re setting children up for a healthier future.”
Milligan said parents can reinforce good dental habits even before the first tooth arrives by wiping a wet rag across the gums after a child eats.
Through its collaboration with the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, Tiny Teeth Matter is engaging early childhood educators and families with fun, age-appropriate tools to make dental care a part of daily routines.
Experts say early and regular dental checkups play a crucial role in maintaining lifelong oral health.
That’s why Premier Community HealthCare is making Tiny Teeth Matter visits to contracted childcare centers in Pasco and Hernando counties.
“This partnership helps make oral health education more accessible not only to our young learners, but also to their families,” said Sherri Sabadishin, organizational and public engagement supervisor with Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties. “We truly appreciate the opportunity to connect children and parents with this important health resource and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our communities.”
The initiative Includes:
- Dental health education in early learning classrooms, preschool centers, and youth-serving programs.
- Free Tiny Teeth Matter kits, including dental educational materials for families.
- In-school dental screenings and fluoride treatments in partnership with local preschool, voluntary prekindergarten providers and youth-serving programs.
- Parent workshops on nutrition and at-home care.
Funded in part by Gulfcoast North AHEC, the program also addresses disparities in access to dental care, with a special focus on early childhood centers and youth-serving programs throughout Pasco and Hernando counties.
Dental health is linked to speech development, academic success and overall well-being. By reaching children early, Tiny Teeth Matter aims to prevent the pain, missed school days and costly treatments that result from untreated dental issues.
“We’re proud to work alongside community partners to ensure every child has the knowledge, tools and support they need to grow up with a healthy smile,” said Nicole Kelly, CEO at Gulfcoast North AHEC.
