The Children’s Dental Health Program, held at Cooke Elementary School on Feb. 5, was a huge success with more than 140 children and family members attending.
The children participated in games and activities, won some great dental-related prizes through raffles and enjoyed a delicious, nutritious dinner, all while learning about the importance of dental health and receiving a dental screening. There was also a health and wellness poster contest in which the students could participate.
![A student wearing a blue shirt and visor holds a plate while a woman wearing a ponytail dishes out fruit to him. The table has lots of fruits and vegetables on it.](https://www.monticelloschools.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/healthy-foods-1024x794.jpg)
Good dental health is vital at every age but the sooner kids start practicing healthy oral habits, the better the chance they will carry them into adulthood.
![Three adults stand with four older elementary school girls. all of the girls are wearing blue t-shirts with a white panther paw print on them.](https://www.monticelloschools.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Volunteers-at-dental-health-night-1024x746.jpg)
“This was a wonderful event thanks to many partners of the Monticello Central School District,” said Dana Taylor, executive director of Special, Summer and After School Programs for the district. “Giving families a good experience with the dentist is a great way to encourage them to continue these healthy dental habits.”
![Many students stand in lines. A girl wearing a maroon shirt fist bumps](https://www.monticelloschools.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Kids-fist-bump-1024x424.jpg)
The district is grateful to PRASAD for its service to our community, as well as all of this program’s sponsors: Catskill Regional Medical Center Warrior Kids Program, the Monticello Empire Program, the EPIC program, Sullivan 180, SNAP-Ed, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Health Promotion Strategies and Fidelis Care.