Texas Tooth Steps
The Texas Oral Health Coalition’s perinatal oral health program called Texas Tooth Steps is an innovative train-the-trainer program that provides a specially designed toolkit that includes resources and materials for trained staff to use to educate women around the importance of self-care and the care of infants. The oral health education materials also highlight the importance of oral health during pregnancy and encourages pregnant women to seek prenatal dental checkups and dental care.
Resources for Pregnant People
Resources for Patients
Texas Tooth Steps is the first step in oral health education and implementing positive oral health behaviors for moms and infants. Trainers will receive resources and materials in English and Spanish to use to educate women around the importance of self-care and care of infants.
This program addresses three specific oral health behaviors: a healthy diet for infants, daily oral hygiene and dental attendance. It also expands the knowledge and awareness among perinatal women about oral health and overall health.
In this specially designed toolkit, trainers have the option of customizing their package to include an educational PowerPoint presentation to use and gift bag materials. Materials can include a set of three onesies printed with an age-specific oral health message corresponding to the size of the onesie, (3 month, 6 months and 12 months) as well as educational brochures in English, Spanish or Vietnamese that provide oral health instructions with pictures demonstrating the information about all three oral health behaviors. Other materials that can also be included at an additional cost are infant washcloths to help keep gums clean, children’s books in English and Spanish to help set a nightly routine, and infant and adult sized toothbrushes to help enforce healthy behaviors in the home.
By incorporating the techniques of positive reinforcement and rewards along with attention grabbing slogans, and meaningful visual cues, the presenter can implement lessons that have a lasting and beneficial impact on his/her clients.
Testimony, Stories and Sound Bites From Program Participants
Testimony, Stories and Sound Bites From Program Participants
I never knew baby teeth made a difference. I’m gonna take care of my baby’s teeth. I guess I should see a dentist too. I have gums that bleed. That can’t be good.
Participant from Cadena de Madres
(Driscoll Children’s Hospital)
I’m a college student and thought I was pretty smart about health but I learned a lot today. Thank you. I love the onesies. They are so cute.
Participant from Texas A&M Univ, Title IX program
These outfits are so pretty, I am going to let my baby wear them everywhere. When people ask me, I will tell them take their kids to the dentist and that it’s important.
Participant from Coastal Bend CASA
(Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse)
Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair in Corpus Christi, January 29, 2022.
TAMUCC at the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair
TAMUCC at the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair
Dr. Sherdeana Owens at the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair
Handing out TTS bags at the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair
Presenting at the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair
Attendee of the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair
- Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair in Corpus Christi, January 29, 2022.
- TAMUCC at the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair
- TAMUCC at the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair
- Dr. Sherdeana Owens at the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair
- Handing out TTS bags at the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair
- Presenting at the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair
- Attendee of the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby! Community Health Fair