Pilot dental program at Ararat North Primary School

ARARAT - East Grampians Health Service and Ararat North Primary School are working on a pilot dental program for the school this year.

To get children prepared and involved they were invited to enter some pictures into a drawing contest.

Everyone who participated was awarded with a certificate of appreciation, while 13 winners were selected to make up a calendar which will be displayed in locations across Ararat this year.

The 13 winners of the competition were presented with $15 vouchers from Toyland Ararat which were donated by the Ararat Lions Club.

Project manager at East Grampians Health Service Dr Wacim Gami said it is important to have the children engaged.

"The idea behind the drawing contest was to really get the children involved and thinking about their dental health," he said.

"As we introduce the program this year, students will first be assessed on the dental treatment they may need, then after six months have a check-up."

Mr Gami said the project isn't just about treatment but raising awareness through preventative measures as well.

"We will have our dentist going to the school to remind children about their dental health," he said.

"Some of the activities they will be involved in include demonstrations on the effects certain drinks and food have on the health of teeth.

"It is important just to have someone around to remind them of the basics as well, like brushing your teeth twice a day."

In the long term Mr Gami hopes to achieve the funding that would allow for East Grampians Health Service to expand the program to every school in Ararat.

"We want to be able to work with other schools and various groups in the community to model it to a position where it can be a really good dental health program," he said.

This adds to a growing list of initiatives involving Ararat North Primary School which already has a big focus on healthy eating and healthy living with garden and cooking programs for students.