Our Mission
WHAT DO WE DO : The Oral Hygiene Initiative embraces the life-course perspective in order to change social perceptions of health.
HOW DO WE DO IT : By implementing classroom-based curriculum that is simple for educators to teach and exciting for students to learn, students are empowered to make healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
WHOM DO WE DO IT FOR : This youth education program allows us to directly influence childhood health habits, while disseminating information to parents and grandparents about disease prevention.
WHAT VALUE DO WE BRING : As oral health professionals who serve in the public health sector, we aim to address the direct link between oral and systemic health, provide resources, and prevent oral disease.
Conceptual Goal
In the past, handwashing was not considered important, but in fact, hand hygiene has saved millions of lives since its implementation. Handwashing significantly reduces disease by removing and killing common but dangerous bacteria. This concept is the same for your mouth; brushing your teeth, a simple two-minute task done twice a day, can prevent cavities and gum disease. Gum disease not only affects your mouth but is directly linked to many other diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The importance of brushing our teeth must be ingrained at a young age, just as washing our hands is. By ingraining healthy habits early on in life, we are empowering future generations to lead healthier, happier, and longer lives.
