STOP THE SPREAD PREVENT COLDS AND THE FLU WITH KID-FRIENDLY TEACHING TOOLS
AHH ... AHH ... ACHOO!
School is back in session, but your child may be bringing home more than just random facts. Germs and bacteria that spread the common cold and flu are most prevalent in schools, but while these illnesses are strong, prevention is simple. Teach your kids how to prevent the spread of bacteria this season with these helpful tips.
Hand washing and nose blowing are about as fun as … well, just that. It’s no wonder children don’t want to take time out of their busy play schedules to combat nasty germs. Instead of making these important steps a chore, make basic hygiene fun. Use fun songs to teach the proper way to cover a sneeze, or do a science experiment to teach your children about how the germs spread through just one sneeze. (According to research, sneezes can travel anywhere from 19–26 feet at 100 miles per hour!) For crafty kids, let them decorate tissue boxes or hand sanitizer containers to give hygiene some flair. Soon enough, you’ll find them being smarter about their health. As kids pack into classrooms this fall, germs will fly faster than this past summer did. Prevent the spread of the common cold and flu by learning more tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention online at CDC.gov.
BUT MOMMY DOESN’T COVER HER NOSE!
Kids learn more by watching what you do rather than listening to what you tell them to do. Get in the habit of covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and then wash your hands. Make hand sanitizer and facial tissues readily available in your home and be sure to wash your hands before every meal. In addition, stick to healthy habits when you do feel sick. Drink fluids, get plenty of rest, and seek medical attention when it’s warranted. If your children see you taking care of yourself, they will be more likely to do the same for themselves in the future.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: BRENDA WHEN PASSION MEETS EXPERTISE
Meet Brenda! Brenda had never worked in the orthodontic field before a year and a half ago. She is a natural at the job, and her bubbly personality lights up our office. We are so glad she joined our team back in April of this year. Before switching to orthodontics, Brenda was an assistant in general dentists’ offices for nearly a decade. She loved the work at first, but after a while, handing tools to the dentist got boring, and she wanted in on the action. Marshall Orthodontics gave her the opportunity she needed to prove she could handle her own patients. “The second I started getting more hands-on, I completely fell in love with it,” Brenda says of being an orthodontic assistant. “I’m so much more independent, and I’m the one doing all of the work. The doctor tells me what to do, but I’m the one untying the patient, putting on brackets, and explaining to them what I’m doing and how. I love interacting more with my patients and staying with them from the beginning of their appointment to the end.”
Brenda moved from California to South Carolina three years ago with her boyfriend, Daniel, who manages the Mexican restaurant chain Papa’s & Beer. It was an abrupt transition from the “go-go- go” environment of Los Angeles to the sleepy South, but Brenda was happy to leave the hustle and bustle behind. She and Daniel recently bought a house, and Brenda says they’re here to stay. “I don’t see myself going back to California. I consider South Carolina my home now. This is where I should be in life, and I’m glad we made the leap,” she says. Brenda’s home is just a quick walk from Marshall Orthodontics, and she takes advantage of the proximity. During her lunch break, she heads home to eat and play with her new puppy, Sophie. Still, as much as Brenda loves her dog, she says she’s always happy to come back to work. “This really is my dream,” Brenda says. “I love coming to work every day. This job really made me fall in love with dentistry all over again.”
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