"The soul is healed by being with children."

Our last oral health promotion activity was at the local kindergarten school. A new palapa roof was being built while children were playing around it.

Except for this little boy who was patiently waiting for his class to begin.

Waiting for all the kids to arrive that morning.

The first class of 5 year olds begins with education on oral health.

Que bonitas!

...as we listened intently as well.

Then, we showed them how to brush their teeth.

Then they showed us how to brush their teeth.

Jenna with a captive audience.

Dallas having fun.

We held the caries screening under the palapa. It was already very warm by 9:00 in the morning.

The children are always such eager participants.

Say "ahhhh" or "abre por favor". 

The cuteness was everywhere!

Jenna cradling his head for support.

Our second group of 5 year olds.

Now it's your turn, says Danika.

Siarra had this group of girls' attention.

Now spit! Heather was spat on many times this trip. ;-)

Under the palapa.

Rachelle rolled up her sleeves and got to work!

Very well behaved kids and the students weren't bad either. ;-)

"Smile, look, and listen"...that's one way to get their attention. Way to go, Jenna.

I think Heather got spat on again!

Saw 60 children, 34 had obvious decay.  When we first started 8 years ago, it seemed like every other child had decay. Happy to see progress, but we have a long ways to go.
Soda pop is so commonly consumed here and a very difficult habit to break.

Later that day, we travelled two towns south of San Pancho to visit an after school program at Casa Clu in a small community called San Ignacio. Very poor, isolated, and limited access to social resources. Thank you Jessica for the invitation to come see your beautiful kids.

One child was there when we arrived, then these two became curious and  hung around.

Soon, they started coming out of their homes to see what was going on.

Along with our interpreter, Glades, we explained why we were there.

And the crowd began to gather.

...and gather until we had about 30 children.

The toothbrushing lessons were a hit.

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Eager learners.

Not camera shy at all.

Beautiful in every way.

Maria getting right in there to help the children.

Danika making sure that this child feels more confident with his toothbrushing.

Siarra doing the same thing.

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Dallas and Glades talking about the benefits of fluoride.

We were very grateful that some parents showed up to see what was going on.

Heather applying fluoride and about ready to get spit on. ;-)

Oh my goodness, the cuteness continues!

Sorry Rachelle to not have captured you on camera. I saw how hard you were working...and again you were hidden from view with this shot.

Ah, there you are Rachelle and some of the gang at Casa Clu.  Well done everyone!