Transcript Document 7641979

4-H Health Officers:
Smiles for a Lifetime
Helping each 4-H’er take a stand for “healthier living”
Missing Something in Your
Extension Health Programs?
Components:
• 4-H Health Officer
• Training – Officers, Volunteers, Agents
• Curriculum
- 4-H Club Health Activity Guide
- 4-H Club Dental Health Planner
- County Officer Training Outline
• Club Activities
Goal
To increase knowledge about dental
health and motivate 4-H’ers and families
to try new dental health habits
and to improve others.
Improving Everyday Dental Behaviors
• Brush and floss teeth more often and
thoroughly
• Choose healthy snacks (fruits and veggies)
• Replace sugar-added drinks with water and
low-fat milk
• Commit to being tobacco-free
• Wear protective gear
• Use flouride mouth rinse
Curriculum
4-H Club Health Activity Guide
Officers lead fun club activities
4-H Club Dental Health Planner
Members track health behaviors
Implementation
56 4-H Health Officers
Training by local oral
health educators
4-H’ers lead
fun activities
Evaluation Tools
• Club Record Form
- Documents activities conducted at club
meetings
- Youth input to improve program
• Parent Survey
- Observed at-home dental health behaviors
- Assess child’s dental health
- Perceptions of how child
used the Planner
The 4-H Health Initiative
 builds youth leadership
 integrates dental health education into
existing 4-H youth development program
 designed to be low-cost, high- impact,
and sustainable
Project Team
• County Extension faculty, volunteers, youths
• Elaine Bowen, Ed.D., Extension Specialist
WVU Extension Service
• Gina Sharps, R.D.H., Oral Health Educator
WVU School of Dentistry
• Richard Meckstroth, D.D.S., Professor
WVU School of Dentistry