Have you ever wondered what motivates families to practice “good” dental health habits? What about the best way to bring about change in their dental behavior?
Well, we have! Over the past year, Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation partnered with experts to learn about low-income families and their thoughts on dental health.
Where do families stand on dental health?
We found that parents highly value their children’s futures and know healthy eating, brushing daily, and visiting the dentist are good habits. However, life can get hectic and it’s hard to balance everything.
After a long day of work, arguing with your kids to brush their teeth before bed is the last thing you want to do. We are working to give parents the knowledge and tools they need to get through those nighttime (and morning) scuffles. We will encourage them to keep sugary drinks out of sippy cups and bottles and also get their kids to the dentist by age 1.
Oral health advocates in your community
To spread these messages, we have partnered with the promotores program. They are a grassroots network of oral health advocates who work directly with families on prevention and early treatment.
One of the biggest hurdles is generating a conversation about dental health. Parents know that brushing twice a day is important. But the struggle to actually get your kids to do so is not exactly a hot topic at the neighborhood block party.
The promotores bridge that void and act as a trusted resource for parents to talk to. They discuss simple changes they can make to improve the health of their families in a comfortable environment. The promotores aim to help parents make lifelong habits that prioritize dental health in their families.