Dentist Field Trip

On Friday, we had a American homeschooling field trip. They don't happen very much as many of us live quite a distance from each other. There is little housing on the military base so Americans are spread out all over the region, so unless the home schooler's participate in some of the base children's activities we don't see them very much. However this year the dental clinic on base asked if the home schoolers wanted to have a field trip. Emails were sent out and we were able to arrange a great field trip! My kids have been quoting what they learned all weekend and even implementing some changes all on their own.

First the children sat thru a 30 minute presentation side show on taking care of your teeth, what a cavity looks like and what a dentist does. I know my kids where listening because all weekend my son has been telling anyone who will listen that sugar causes bacteria in your mouth to make plaque and that will cause a cavity -- hasn't stopped him from eating candy but he is at least aware. My daughter shocked me on Sunday morning while at a breakfast buffet as she added water to her apple juice on her own and willingly. Telling her Dad proudly what she did and why. I just love little moments like that:)


Taking a tour of the dentist office -- seeing an exam room and being told what all the equipment is for.








Seeing what a clinician would wear while performing a dental surgery. Trying on the X-ray vest









Explaining the X-ray machine and seeing some x-rays on a computer.



Okay I have a confession to make, since moving to England my kids haven't been to the dentist in 2 years. So all of this was really new to them. I will be making a appointment for them very soon.





Next we went into the lab where we were shown teeth models and told why and how they were made. We were also shown different types of fillings and why some people prefer one over the other. For instance I didn't know that gold fillings and crowns were better as the gold wears away before the opposite teeth do. Whereas porcelain fillings grind away the opposite teeth.




Drawers and drawers of teeth. Did you know there are over 27 different colors of teeth. And your teeth might all be slightly different colors. The Dentist showed the kids a computer that reads the color of your teeth and this allows the dentist to make the perfect color match for your teeth. I had no idea!




Each child then got a quick dental screening and thankfully both kids passed with flying colors. They also got a much better understanding why I nag (yes, I nag) them to brush for 2 minutes twice a day!