Begin With A Grin

CHIP’s Begin With A Grin program is an innovative approach to providing preventive dental care to children who are most at risk for dental caries and long term dental disease.  The educational component of the program (based on the Virginia Department of Health’s “Bright Smiles for Babies” curriculum) provides parents with information on proper oral hygiene, nutrition and oral health literacy in an effort to reduce high risk behaviors (pre-chewing food, sharing utensils, putting children to bed with sugary drinks) that lead to Early Childhood Caries. 

 Educational tools include oversized models of the teeth and gums paired with a large toothbrush which allows CHIP nurses to demonstrate proper brushing and flossing technique after which both the parent and child take turns applying the knowledge they have learned in the home visit.  In addition to educational support, nurses apply semi-annual fluoride dental varnish to the teeth of CHIP-enrolled children from tooth bud eruption to age 36 months who do not presently receive varnish treatments through another health care provider.