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About the Program
Oral Health Education

CATCH Healthy Smiles is a program for grades Pre-K – 2 that is designed to improve the oral health of students by teaching about and encouraging proper toothbrushing and flossing techniques, a nutritious diet, and regular visits to a dentist.

Through the program, students learn about the major factors that cause tooth decay and develop the skills needed to maintain a healthy smile. The CATCH Healthy Smiles program is designed to help students:

  • Discover the causes of tooth decay, including dietary choices and poor oral health habits in our oral health education programs;
  • Develop skills for brushing, flossing, and choosing tooth-healthy foods & drinks;
  • Recognize the importance of regular dental visits; and,
  • Create personal oral health care goals.

 

CATCH Healthy Smiles was developed by researchers at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, with funding support from the National Institutes of Health.


 

Our oral health education program is FREE to schools in the U.S. thanks to generous support from the
Delta Dental Community Care Foundation

Oral Health Education Programs

Read the announcement


The #1 Childhood Disease: Tooth Decay
Poor Oral Health

56% of U.S. children
aged 6-8 have untreated cavities; gum disease affects 50% of kids.

Baby Teeth Matter

Kids with cavities in their baby teeth are 3x more likely to get cavities in their adult teeth.

School Performance

Kids with poor oral health are 3x more likely to miss school and 2x more likely to perform poorly.

Meet the Characters
Swish

Swish reminds us to rinse our mouths with water after eating or drinking to get rid of stuck-on food and sugar.

Pearl

Pearl’s two shiny teeth help you remember to brush for 2 minutes, with help from an adult, at least twice a day.

Weaver

Weaver’s big front teeth remind you to be sure to weave floss between each tooth at least once per day.

How to Get Started

1
Enroll via CATCH.org

Click ENROLL to add the oral health education program to your CATCH.org Dashboard. If you do not already have a free CATCH.org account, you will be prompted to create one as part of enrollment.

Enroll


2
Complete the 30-minute training

CATCH Healthy Smiles program includes a free self-paced training module that will orient you to the materials and instructional components.


3
Deliver the Program

Implement the 5 classroom lessons and send home the supporting parent materials.

CATCH Healthy Smiles
Parent Resources

Welcome, Parents!

Here you’ll find a variety of materials and resources to help you learn about oral health and develop family routines around dental care. Questions about the program? Contact Us

**Parents at Houston-area schools participating in the UTHealth program study, please read our informational parent letter (English / Spanish)**

Infographics

Learn important facts about oral health and proper hygiene with these engaging infographics, available in English and Spanish.

View Infographics
Videos

A selection of fun oral health videos to watch with your kids, from trusted sources including PBS Kids and the American Dental Association.

View Library
Home Activities

These fun home activities are designed to be done with your child as a way of reinforcing what is being taught in the classroom.

View Activities
Parent Infographics
Top 5 Tooth Myths

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Top Toothbrushing Tips

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Toothcare Toolkit

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Download
Floss Like A Boss

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Download
Find Your Dental Home

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Q's When Looking for a Dental Home

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Download
Choose This Not That

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Cut the Sugar, Cut the Cavities

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Download
Videos

Sesame Street: Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me: Can’t Go Wrong Song

Elmo and Abby know that crunchy fruits and vegetables can help keep teeth healthy and strong!

Watch on YouTube

Sesame Street: Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me: Open Sesame Song

Abby Cadabby reminds us to “Open Sesame!” for the friendly people who help keep our teeth healthy and strong!

Watch on YouTube

Let’s Brush Our Teeth

Help your child get excited about brushing for the full 2 minutes and remember to help them brush at least twice a day.

Watch on YouTube

Brush like a Dentist

Are you ready to brush like a dentist? Follow all the tooth-cleaning action with CATCH Healthy Smiles!

Watch on YouTube

How to Floss Your Teeth

Brief video from the American Dental Association on the proper technique for flossing you teeth.

Watch on YouTube
Home Activities
Activity 1: Plaque Slime

Make “plaque” slime and discover how it sticks to egg carton “teeth.”

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Activity 2: Ice Cube Cavities

See how “cavities” form on ice cubes.

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Activity 3: Egg Carton Flossing

Practice flossing egg carton “teeth!”

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Download
Activity 4: Tooth Puppets

Help your tooth puppet go to the dentist.

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Download
Activity 5: Infused Water

Make a delicious sugar-free drink together!

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Download
Contact Us

Please use the form below to submit any questions or comments about CATCH Healthy Smiles.


Want to support CATCH Healthy Smiles with a donation to CATCH Global Foundation?

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