Going to the dentist is not everyone’s favorite activity. But taking care of our kids’ oral health is extremely important. Our kids’ teeth have to last a loooong time!
Unfortunately, due to a variety of access issues, regular dental exams are a challenge for many families. In Washington state, more than half of children have experienced tooth decay by the time they reach third grade. Lack of oral health care can lead to short- and long-term health problems, many of which are preventable with regular care.
To help shine a light on kids’ teeth, February is National Children’s Dental Health month. To mark the occasion, Hands on Children’s Museum in Olympia is offering free dental screenings for kids, along with other activities highlighting the important topic of oral health care.
Every Saturday in February, plus First Friday Night, Feb. 3, kids can come to the museum for a free dental screen. You just need to make an appointment. Families who sign up for a dental screening also get free admission to the museum!
How to sign up for a free dental screening for your child
To sign up for a free dental screening, call the museum at 360-956-0818, ext. 0. Parents/caregivers will need to provide their name, plus a phone number and an email address for confirmation. There is no other identification or documentation needed.
Screening appointments are available Friday, Feb. 3, 6–8 p.m.; and Saturdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2–4 p.m. And remember, if your kids need an enticement to let a dentist look at their teeth, they get to play in the museum the same day, for free!
More fun with teeth?
Even if your kids don’t need a dental screening, Hands On is tons of fun any day of the week (we especially love the Megan D and the Tides to Trees climber!). And if you do fancy some fun with dental health, there are plenty of tooth-tastic activities happening in February, including:
- Explore the Puget Sound Dental Office, part of the Emergency! exhibit area, open every day.
- Make tiny teeth necklaces, Feb. 3–5.
- See some of the biggest teeth (elephants, mammoths, mastodons), Feb. 3–5.
- Explore maritime mouths, Feb. 10–12.
- Sew a monster mouth or tooth fairy pillow, Feb. 10–12.
- Practice drilling for food like moon snails and mollusks, Feb. 17–20.
- Greet Tinker Fairy and take a photo, Feb. 18.
- Use tools to craft your own toothy charms and trinkets, Feb. 24–26.
These activities are included with regular museum admission or membership.
If you go ...Where: Hands on Children’s Museum is located at 414 Jefferson St. N.E. in Olympia. When: Free kids’ dental screening appointments are available during the following hours: Friday, Feb. 3, 6–8 p.m.; and Saturdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2–4 p.m. Appointments: Call the museum at 360-956-0818, ext. 0, to make an appointment. Cost: Dental screenings are free, and with a dental screening appointment, families enjoy free admission to the museum. |
