Smiles For Miles Awards

Published on 09 August 2018

Smiles For Miles Cohuna_-2.JPG

 

Smiles For Miles Awards

Media Release
 

Pictured: Cohuna and District Preschool
Gannawarra Shire Council’s four early years’ services and the Gannawarra Children’s Centre have once again been Smiles 4 Miles awarded!

Smiles 4 Miles is an oral health promotion program for kindergarten-aged children developed by Dental Health Services Victoria and implemented throughout the Gannawarra Shire in partnership with Northern District Community Health.

The Smiles 4 Miles award recognises early childhood services for their commitment to improving the oral health of young children and their families.

Services achieve the Smiles 4 Miles award by implementing healthy eating and oral health policies, engaging with families about the importance of oral health and educating children through a variety of fun learning experiences based on the Smiles 4 Miles key messages – Drink well, Eat well and Clean well.

Cr. Lorraine Learmonth said that Council was delighted that its early year’s services had been re-awarded under the Smiles 4 Miles program.

“This is a significant achievement,” said Cr. Learmonth. “Every two years our services need to work through Smiles 4 Miles award criteria to ensure that we are providing the most up to date promotion and education around good oral health early in life.“

“Our Gannawarra oral health statistics across the early years are very poor and we are working to turn these statistics around.”

Northern District Community Health Chief Executive Officer Mandy Hutchinson said that the program is a great way to help children have healthy teeth and gums for life.

“Good habits are formed early in life,” said Ms. Hutchinson. “By promoting good oral health behaviours early, we can decrease the likelihood of poor oral health later in life.”

“It is rewarding for the Gannawarra Shire early childhood services to achieve their Smiles 4 Miles award and know that they are providing our youngest children with a great start to life.”

The Smiles 4 Miles program promotes the following three steps to achieve healthy teeth and gums!
  1. Drink well- Drink tap water or plain milk and avoid sugary drinks like cordials, juices and soft drinks.
  2. Eat well- Eat a variety of nutritious foods each day and limit sugary foods, particularly between meals.
  3. Clean well- Brush teeth twice daily, adults should help children until at least the age of 7.
For more information visithttps://www.dhsv.org.au/oral-health-programs/smiles4milesor call Council on 5450 9333.

…ENDS…

Date: 9 August 2018
Contact: Communications Officer
Email: media@gannawarra.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0409 616 627 between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

 

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