4-H Health Officers: Smiles for a Lifetime

Helping each 4-H’er take a stand for “healthier living”

Missing Something in Your Extension Health Programs?

Components:

• 4-H Health Officer

• Training – Officers, Volunteers, Agents

• Curriculum

- 4-H Club Health Activity Guide

- 4-H Club Dental Health Planner

- County Officer Training Outline

• Club Activities

Goal

To increase knowledge about dental health and motivate 4-H’ers and families

to try new dental health habits and to improve others.

Improving Everyday Dental Behaviors

• Brush and floss teeth more often and thoroughly

• Choose healthy snacks (fruits and veggies)

• Replace sugar-added drinks with water and low-fat milk

• Commit to being tobacco-free

• Wear protective gear

• Use flouride mouth rinse

Curriculum

4-H Club Health Activity GuideOfficers lead fun club activities

4-H Club Dental Health PlannerMembers track health behaviors

Implementation

4-H’ers lead

fun activities

Training by local oral health educators

56 4-H Health Officers

Evaluation Tools• Club Record Form

- Documents activities conducted at club meetings

- Youth input to improve program • Parent Survey

- Observed at-home dental health behaviors

- Assess child’s dental health

- Perceptions of how child

used the Planner

The 4-H Health Initiative

builds youth leadership

integrates dental health education into existing 4-H youth development program

designed to be low-cost, high- impact, and sustainable

Project Team

• County Extension faculty, volunteers, youths

• Elaine Bowen, Ed.D., Extension Specialist

WVU Extension Service

• Gina Sharps, R.D.H., Oral Health Educator

WVU School of Dentistry

• Richard Meckstroth, D.D.S., Professor

WVU School of Dentistry