10 January 2008

Encouraging oral health through story telling

Parents and toddlers in Armagh and Dungannon are learning about oral health through story telling.

The ‘Gimme 5’ story-sack is based on the theme of nutrition and oral health and promotes the five fruit and vegetables a day message. It contains a fiction book, puppets, food models, recipes, games and information on preventing dental decay.

Anne Barrett, Oral Health Dietitian, Southern Health and Social Care Trust who developed the ‘Gimme 5’ storysack says: “Children in Northern Ireland have the worst dental health in the UK. A survey in 2002 showed that by the time they begin primary school, most children here will have experienced dental decay. ‘Gimme 5’ takes a fun approach to getting an important health promotion message through to a very young age group and their parents. We hope that the storysack will teach toddlers some important oral health messages that will last them throughout life.”

Funded by the Southern Childcare Partnership through the Armagh and Dungannon Early Years Forum, the ‘Gimme 5’ story-sacks are being distributed to each Parent and Toddler Group and Day Nursery in the area.

For further information contact Anne Barrett, Oral Health Dietitian

Tel: 028 3752 2381 ext 2500