Rohrerstown Pupils Brush Up On Fitness

Article courtesy of the Merchandiser
By Rick Hiduk

Representatives of St. Joseph’s Health Ministries (SJHM) conducted a Dental Olympics for physical education students at Rohrerstown Elementary School on Feb. 20 to promote its “Brush. Brush. Smile!” program and to acknowledge National Children’s Dental Health Month. The children were guided through a number of games geared toward keeping them active while learning about oral hygiene

Photo by Rick Hiduk Senator Mike Brubaker (right) joined Rohrerstown Elementary School students, including Nicole Adhiambo, in playing a number of fast-paced games as part of the Dental Olympics held at the school on Feb. 20. The event was sponsored by St. Joseph’s Health Ministries to promote good dental hygiene.

RES principal Kathy Swantner and physical education instructor Heather Hagopian welcomed SJHM foundation director Ann Goropoulos and Sen. Mike Brubaker to the school to help explain the importance of dental health and to conduct simple contests that left the children giggling and better informed.

Goropoulos explained that SJHM wanted to expand the lessons about oral hygiene offered to school children in a classroom setting. “This year, we wanted to expand that educational component to physical educators,” she said.

After some initial comments offered to the pupils by Hagopian, the children launched into a series of four activities that were designed to bring attention to brushing, flossing, good food choices, and what to expect during a visit to the dentist.

“They’re learning about healthy habits for their teeth, but in a way that is active and fun,” Hagopian stated. “Kids need to learn more about health and how to take care of their bodies, including their teeth, and this is a great vehicle for that.”

“Heather does a lot to promote healthy lifestyles, so this has fit very well with her philosophies of physical education,” Swantner concurred.

A game of tag, called the “plaque attack lesson,” involved children representing the undesirable tooth foe chasing pupils who potrayed healthy teeth around the gymnasium. Only the dental hygienists - students dressed in white lab coats - could save the endangered teeth.

The pupils also participated in a toothbrush relay race, a “happy teeth” lesson, in which students aimed bean bags at healthy food items, and a round of “human flossing.” The latter probably evoked the most laughter as groups of children stood shoulder to shoulder to represent a row of healthy teeth while other team members, including Brubaker and Swantner, ran a rope representing floss up between them.

“I’m having a blast with the kids,” Brubaker stated in between games. “Kids learn in many ways, and one of those ways is to have fun.”

The “Brush. Brush. Smile!” program provides free dental exams and treatment to nearly 19,000 Lancaster County children who may not visit a dentist regularly due to financial circumstances. The program is designed to educate children and to provide care for oral health concerns aboard the “Brush. Brush. Bus,” which parks just outside the school.
“The ‘Brush. Brush. Smile!’ program is important because it reinforces how dental hygiene affects the rest of your body’s health,” said Brubaker. “It allows underprivileged children to get the dental care that they would not otherwise receive by bringing professionals into the schools.”

Based on the success of its inaugural run, Goropoulos hopes that more area educators will show an interest in conducting Dental Olympics at their schools. “It’s great for kindergartners through eighth-graders,” she stated.