“Daniel Tiger: At the Dentist” Launched This Week by PBS Kids

As parents of young kids everywhere are aware, going to the dentist can be a little scary, especially for those who are going for a first time. Teaching youngsters the importance of proper brushing also can be a little tricky. PBS Kids’ “Daniel Tiger: At the Dentist” is planning to help out with both of these oral health obstacles for children.

Produced by Fred Rogers productions, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood from PBS Kids includes a series of programs as well as the Daniel Tiger Apps from PBS Kids. The various versions address a number of topics for both parents and children, but the latest one focuses on oral care. “Daniel Tiger: At the Dentist” debuted on February 17 at the official Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood website, www.pbskids.org/daniel.

Daniel Tiger is here to help prepare kids for milestone moments such as a first trip to the dental office. “Daniel Tiger: At the Dentist” is described as a fun, replay-able game that, alongside Daniel Tiger and Dr. Plat, prepares children for a positive experience when going to the dentist. Visitors to the

PBS Kids website who click on the At The Dentist tab, will then be taken to a screen that includes buttons to learn about proper brushing, visiting Dr. Plat’s dental office, and a catchy song to encourage brushing.

With relaxing, interactive gameplay kids will familiarize themselves with a dentist visit by experiencing the sights and sounds of various instruments and processes utilized by the dentist. The section on brushing includes a timer and encourages children to brush their teeth for 2 minutes, as recommended by the American Academy of PediatricDentistry (AAPD). According to the AAPD, it’s important to establish an oral care routine by age 1. “Daniel Tiger: At the Dentist” hopes to play a rolein educating both parents and kids about the importance of establishing these good oral health habits early on.