Incirlik Unit School brushes up on dental health Published Feb. 27, 2015 By Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- In conjunction with National Children's Dental Health Month, volunteers from the 39th Medical Operations Squadron and American Red Cross visited the Incirlik Unit School to teach children about dental health Feb. 24, here. "We're trying to help kids become more comfortable with visiting the dentist," said Capt. Cindy Lan, 39th MDOS dentist. "We also want to educate them on how to take care of their teeth and why it is so important to take care of them." Through interactive learning stations, the children were taught about what foods they should and should not eat to promote good dental health, proper brushing and flossing techniques, what a cavity is and how dentists remove cavities. The stations, which were put together by four Airmen, included one that allowed students a chance to dress up as a dentist and remove a cavity from a set of fake teeth. The children were also offered a chance to fill in the cavity and learn about what happens if they should get another cavity on the same tooth. "[The visit] isn't just about teaching the students how to care for themselves," said Alice Berard, Incirlik Unit School principal. "It is important anytime we can get our military members into the school so that the children can see their parents' mission. It is also important for the community." Additionally, Airmen discussed with students what foods they could eat to help keep their teeth healthy as well as what types of food could be unhealthy. The event concluded with an activity about proper brushing and flossing techniques, which allowed students to practice on oversized dentures and stuffed animals. "It is important to teach children because they can carry these practices into adulthood and they can then teach their children," Lan said. To learn more about National Children's Dental Health Month, visit http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month/.