Every Child Reads partners with local dentists for exciting program

Published by admin on Wed, 01/26/2022 - 2:40pm

Jones County Family Dentistry in Monticello and Anamosa are taking part in the Every Child Reads “Brush. Book. Bed.” program. Showing off the many books kids can take home after visiting the dentist are Heidi Topping, Jami Hedrick, and Dr. Katie Nagel Shao. (Photos by Kim Brooks)

Every Child Reads is partnering with all dentists in Jones County for the “Brush. Book. Bed” program. Monticello Family Dentistry is one of several dentists taking part. From left are Stephanie Ingles, Dr. Lindsey Meyer, and Kim Loeffelholz.

Wolken Dental in Monticello is proud to partner with Every Child Reads – Jones County in an effort to get books in the hands of kids ages 0-9. The “Brush. Book. Bed” program promotes the habit of brushing one’s teeth, reading a bedtime story, and getting a good night’s sleep. Showing off the books donated by ECR is, from left, Dr. Richard Wolken, D.D.S.; Meleah Luensman, office manager; Lisa Moore, RDH; Dayna Earle, RDA; and Kelsey Schwendinger, RDA.
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     For over three years now, Every Child Reads Jones County (Grade Level Reading), supported by the Jones County Community Foundation (JCCF), has been leading with three initiatives in mind:

     • School Readiness

     • Summer Learning

     • School attendance

     GLR leaders, community leaders, school leaders, and more have come together to form subcommittees under the GLR executive committee, representing each of the concepts and concerns above. Recently, the School Readiness group came brainstormed a list of projects they could see as possibilities, as a way for GLR to make a local impact. One of those projects was “Brush. Book. Bed.”

     This initiative is a program from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) “to help parents develop healthy nighttime routines.”

     GLR Director Heather Weers researched the idea and felt it was an achievable project.

     “It has a clear and simple message,” Weers shared…

     1. Each night, help your child brush his/her teeth.

     2. Read a book.

     3. Go to bed at a regular time every night.

     “This was a great way for Every Child Reads Jones County to get books into the hands of kids while partnering with local dentists to help provide information on the importance of brushing teeth, with a message to parents of establishing a nightly routine,” explained Weers.

     GLR delivered books for kids 0 to 9 years to every dentist office in Jones County, including:

     • Jones County Family Dentistry (both the Monticello and Anamosa locations)

     • Monticello Family Dentistry

     • Wolken Dental

     • Anamosa Dental Associates

     Every time a child shows up for his/her six-month checkup, they will receive a free book to take home with them in from appropriate age group.

     Weers also had fliers printed that explain the “Brush. Book. Bed.” program on one side, and include a list of all of the Jones County public libraries and Free Little Libraries on the back.

     “Start your routine every night at the same time, 30 minutes before bedtime, so that you have enough time to brush teeth, read together, and go to sleep,” offered the AAP.

     For instance, the AAP recommends for kids ages 3 to 6, help them brush their teeth two times a day.

     After brushing teeth, let your child pick out a book (or two) to read together in bed.

     Finally, the AAP recommends putting your child to bed when he/she is drowsy, yet still awake.

     “It teaches them to fall asleep on their own from being awake.”

     Weers said talking about the program to all of the local dentists was an easy task. She didn’t really have to talk them into anything; they were all on board right away.

     “The information about ‘Brush. Book. Bed.’ was already created so we just added the Jones County information on the back,” she said.

     As the books start to dwindle down, GLR has some additional books on hand they can replenish the various boxes with at each dentist office.

     “Our goal is to secure additional funding/grants for this initiative to be able to continue with the program for the foreseeable future,” offered Weers.

     For more information on Every Child Reads and how you can help or get involved, contact Weers at jonescountyglr@gmail.com.

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