Improving Oral Health Literacy: Teaching Primary School Students through the Lessons in a Lunch Box Program

This continuing education (CE) course exemplifies oral health literacy education. It was developed to offer dental health professionals an innovative way to improve oral health literacy by going directly into second and third grade classrooms. Today, this direct delivery of the program could include a virtual Lessons in a Lunch Box presentation. This CE lecture introduces unique strategies to address health literacy utilizing a lunch box designed with stimulating educational content focusing on wellbeing behaviors, and dental careers guidance. Additionally, the lunch box contains oral hygiene products packaged in a charming travel case.

This course introduces a unique strategy to address health literacy. The core purpose of this training lecture is to thoroughly educate dental professionals about the Lessons in a Lunch Box program primarily by teaching them the stepwise approach to efficiently present these materials to their elementary school audiences, second and third grade students. This course will equip professionals with information and resources necessary to offer the oral and diet health education presentation in community schools. A “dentally designed” lunch box and a dental hygiene products container, crafted in the likeness of a fresh carrot are both used to, (1) aid in presenting the program by captivating and exciting young audiences, (2) teach about food choices, meal planning and portion size, (3) provide flossing and brushing instructions, (4) educate about careers throughout the dental profession, and (5) make sure the meaningful lessons being taught are remembered long after the one hour presentation.

The course is designed to empower children and their families with proper knowledge about routine dental health maintenance, oral disease prevention, good dietary choices, and careers in dentistry by training student and practicing dentists, student and practicing dental hygienists, other health professional volunteers and educators to deliver the Lessons in a Lunch Box program.

All health professionals are required to complete this CE course assignment, and all volunteers are encouraged to do so prior to participating in the Lessons in a Lunch Box program at a registered elementary school.

Please Note:

1. Registration is required to present a Lessons in a Lunch Box program. Click here to register and view registration dates. Supplies are limited.
2. For School Superintendents, School Principals, K-12 Teachers, and K-12 Learning Facilitators, this course is for informational purposes only and does not offer CE credit.