Winners are grinners in the Macedon Ranges, with two early childhood services receiving Dental Health Services Victoria’s Smiles 4 Miles award.
Staff at Macedon Early Learning Centre and Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool in Riddells Creek received training and support to implement and meet all relevant award criteria over the course of 2022-23.
The program aims to improve the oral health of children under five years by encouraging healthy eating, healthy drinking, and good oral hygiene.
Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health (SCCH) has coordinated Smiles 4 Miles in the Macedon Ranges since 2017. Coordinator Amanda Perry said tooth decay is one of the most prevalent preventative diseases in Victorian children.
“One in four young children have untreated decay in their baby teeth, according to the Australian Department of Health,” she said.
“Smiles 4 Miles is a valuable step for our early childhood services to take in improving the overall health and wellbeing of our youngest residents.”
To achieve the Smiles 4 Miles award, services must be able to provide evidence of best practice across seven criteria, aimed at educating and engaging children and families.
The Smiles 4 Miles program runs over a two-year cycle, so over the next year awarded services will move to implementing everything they’ve learned over the previous 12 months.
SCCH supports services by providing outreach dental visits and facilitates activities promoting healthy eating and drinking in young children.
All early childhood services in the Macedon Ranges are eligible to participate at any time in Smiles 4 Miles.
Details: amandap.perry@scchc.org.au
