GT Primary Students receive lessons in dentistry.

(CNS): The Health Services Authority (HSA) conducted a three-week health-education program for students at George Town Primary School, beginning on 5 November, in an effort to increase awareness that dental health is a vital part of the comprehensive programme to deliver care and health education in our schools. The students started by looking at the differences between human and animal teeth, going on to try identifying the teeth of other species such as great white sharks, cats, dogs, iguanas and turtles, the HSA said in a release. The culmination of the programme was a presentation of the students’ research projects.

In their projects students highlighted the differences among many types of teeth, as well as the care that humans needed to keep their dentition functional.

The 20 best entries won the opportunity to go on a field trip to the HSA’s Dental Clinic on Thursday 25 November, which led to many bright smiles, happy faces, and smart questions as the children had the chance to see many aspects of dental care and meet the people who provide this important service.

During their visit they saw dental cleanings, fitting of dentures, the creation of crowns, bridges and other orthodontic pieces.

Programme organizer, Veronica Jackson-Seales, said, “Our aim is to ensure that the children learn the right lessons in order to keep their teeth for a lifetime. It’s especially important in youngsters of this age, because they are at that transitional stage when they are losing their milk teeth and about to develop their permanent dentition.”

“It was a gratifying experience for the students, teachers and parents as a lot of new information was gathered to assist the children with the project “Miss Jackson-Seales said.

Chief Dental Officer Dr John Vlitos was delighted with the visit: “It was a pleasure to have so many well-behaved children interested in teeth and asking questions about dentistry,” he said. “Our staff found it a really rewarding and enjoyable experience.”