1. 4-H Health Officers: Smiles for a Lifetime Helping each 4-H’er take a stand for “healthier living”

2. Missing Something in Your Extension Health Programs?

3. Components: 4-H Health Officer Training – Officers, Volunteers, Agents Curriculum - 4-H Club Health Activity Guide - 4-H Club Dental Health Planner - County Officer Training Outline Club Activities

4. Goal To increase knowledge about dental health and motivate 4-H’ers and families to try new dental health habits and to improve others.

5. Improving Everyday Dental Behaviors Brush and floss teeth more often and thoroughly Choose healthy snacks (fruits and veggies) Replace sugar-added drinks with water and low-fat milk Commit to being tobacco-free Wear protective gear Use flouride mouth rinse

6. Curriculum 4-H Club Health Activity Guide Officers lead fun club activities 4-H Club Dental Health Planner Members track health behaviors

7. Implementation 4-H’ers lead fun activities Training by local oral health educators 56 4-H Health Officers

8. Evaluation Tools Club Record Form - Documents activities conducted at club meetings - Youth input to improve program Parent Survey - Observed at-home dental health behaviors - Assess child’s dental health - Perceptions of how child used the Planner

9. The 4-H Health Initiative  builds youth leadership  integrates dental health education into existing 4-H youth development program  designed to be low-cost, high- impact, and sustainable

10. Project Team County Extension faculty, volunteers, youths Elaine Bowen, Ed.D., Extension Specialist WVU Extension Service Gina Sharps, R.D.H., Oral Health Educator WVU School of Dentistry Richard Meckstroth, D.D.S., Professor WVU School of Dentistry