Back to school (with a few extra wiggly teeth)

This October, the Compass team traded our clinic for the classroom, and we had the best time doing it. We visited second graders at North Woods Elementary in Medina and Weaver Lake: A Science, Math and Technology School in Maple Grove. Between the two schools, we met more than 200 curious, energetic, wonderfully honest seven- and eight-year-olds.

We came to teach them about healthy smiles. We left having learned a few things ourselves, mostly about how many teeth a second grader can lose in one week, and how many questions fit into a 30-minute visit.

What our Smile Explorers learned

Our goal was simple: help kids feel confident and curious about caring for their smiles, so that future visits to the dentist and orthodontist feel familiar and even a little exciting. Here’s what we explored together.

• Plaque, the sneaky culprit. Victoria, our Treatment Coordinator, led this part of the lesson, explaining that plaque is a sticky layer of tiny germs that grows on teeth every day and that sugar is its favorite snack. When we asked everyone to slide their tongue across their teeth to feel the fuzzy film, the giggles were instant. Brushing for 2 minutes, 2 times a day, keeps plaque in check.
• Twice-a-year dentist visits. Every six months, a cleaning polishes away what a toothbrush misses, and a check-up makes sure every tooth is healthy and strong.
• An orthodontic check-up at age 7. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child see an orthodontist by age 7. That’s right around second grade, so this audience was exactly the right age. We talked about how an orthodontist looks at how new teeth are coming in, how top and bottom teeth fit together, and whether there’s room for grown-up teeth to grow in.

Brushing, Compass style

Then it was time to practice. Our team brought out our oversized teeth model and toothbrush to show exactly how it’s done: tiny circles on the outsides, careful brushing along the insides, a good scrub on the chewing tops, and a gentle brush on the tongue. It turns out a set of teeth that big is very hard to look away from, and the kids were glued to every brushstroke.

The star of the show: a 3D smile, live

We brought along the same digital scanner we use with patients at Compass. Lauren, our Practice Manager, bravely volunteered as our patient, while Makella, our Clinical Coordinator, ran the scanner like the pro she is. The class watched a 3D model of Lauren’s smile build itself on screen, tooth by tooth, as Makella explained each step. When we spun the finished model around, the room erupted.

For many kids, that moment turned an orthodontic visit from something unknown into something genuinely cool. That’s exactly what we hope for: when the time comes for their own check-up, they’ll already know what to expect.

Questions only a second grader would ask

The best part of every visit was the Q&A. Second graders ask the questions grown-ups are secretly wondering about, and a few made us think about our own work in a whole new way. Some of our favorites:

• “What are teeth made of?”
• “How do teeth know when to come out?”
• “What do I do when I have a ‘sometimes snack’ but can’t brush my teeth?”

We left both schools grinning, and more than a little impressed by how much these kids already know.

Why we show up

Compass is a family-owned orthodontic practice, and Medina, Maple Grove, and the surrounding Plymouth, Wayzata, and Orono communities are home for us. Being part of this community means more than caring for patients in our office. It means showing up in classrooms, on ball fields, and at local events, and investing in kids and families long before they ever need us.

A heartfelt thank you to the teachers and staff at North Woods Elementary and Weaver Lake for welcoming us so warmly, and to every second grader who raised a hand, wiggled a tooth, asked a brilliant question or shared a fun fact. We can’t wait to come back.

Is your child around age 7? We’d love to meet them. Schedule a complimentary consultation, or call or text us at (952) 222-7692.