The program, an initiative of Dental Health Services Victoria, aims to improve the oral health of preschool aged children and their families by encouraging healthy eating, healthy drinking and good oral hygiene.

On Tuesday Warrnambool’s Lions Hopkins Kindergarten joined children from 40 kinders across the region in accessing free oral checks.

The checks coincide with Dental Health Week, this year themed ‘Watch your Mouth’.

The one-hour session included discussions on sugary drinks, ‘sometimes food’ and brushing techniques, followed by teeth audits.

South West Healthcare’s Jacinta Lenehan said the visits were a pathway to removing any future barriers. 

“This is a really exciting program because it gets dental therapists out into the community and breaks down any barriers the children might have about going to the dentist.”