Tooth Team Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Be Brave: Sequencing a Dental Visit
Grades K-2
Duration: 45-60 min
Learning Objective
Students will be able to identify and sequence the key events of a dental checkup (Waiting Room, Hygienist Cleaning, X-rays, Dentist Check, Goody Bag) to build familiarity and reduce dental anxiety.
Materials Needed
"Dental Visit Slides" (with video)
"Healthy Smiles Anchor Chart"
"Dental Sequence Worksheet" (1 per student)
"Dental Visit Cards" (1 set per student)
Scissors and Glue
Lesson Procedure
1
Warm-up: Dentist Brainstorm (5 min)
Ask students: "What happens when you go to the dentist?" Write their ideas on the board.
Teacher Tip: Encourage words like "chair," "bright light," "clean," "scary," or "loud." Acknowledge that feeling a little nervous is okay!
2
Video Viewing & Tool Talk (15 min)
Watch "Visiting the Dentist! | Health for Kids | SciShow Kids." Use the provided "Teaching Moments" to pause and discuss specific tools.
1:15 - The Scaler
Ask: "Have you ever felt a scraping feeling? That's the hygienist removing fuzzy plaque!"
2:00 - The Suction
Ask: "Who has used 'Mr. Thirsty'? Why is that tiny vacuum helpful?"
2:45 - X-Rays
Ask: "What can a special dental camera see that our eyes can't?"
3:00 - Cavities
Ask: "In your own words, what is a cavity?"
3
Activity: Sequencing the Visit (15-20 min)
Direct students to the Dental Sequence Worksheet . They will cut out the 5 activity cards and glue them onto their "First, Next, Then, Last" board.
The Correct Sequence:
Waiting Room: Checking in at the front desk.
Cleaning: The Hygienist uses the scaler and polisher.
X-rays: Taking pictures of the inside of teeth.
Checkup: The Dentist looks for cavities.
Goody Bag: Getting a new toothbrush and sticker!
4
Extension & Wrap-up (10 min)
Students complete the sentence starter at the bottom of their worksheet: "The step that looks most interesting is..." End the lesson by reviewing the Anchor Chart together.
Key Vocabulary
Dental Hygienist: Specialist who cleans teeth.
Plaque: Fuzzy food buildup on teeth.
Scaler: Tool to scrape off plaque.
Polisher: Tool to make teeth smooth.
Cavity: A small hole in a tooth.
X-Ray: A picture of the inside.
Dental Visit Slides Be Brave!
Sequencing a Dental Visit
Warm-up Brainstorm
What words come to mind when you think of the DENTIST?
Share your ideas...
I think of...
Watch & Learn
SciShow Kids
Embedded media
Listen for the steps of a dental checkup!
Tool #1
The Scaler
It looks like a little hook. It helps the hygienist scrape away plaque—the fuzzy stuff that hardens on your teeth!
"Does it hurt?"
Nope! It just might feel a little ticklish or scratchy.
🪝
🦷
Tool #2
The Polisher
This tool spins really fast to smooth out and shine your teeth after they are clean.
"What's that sound?"
It sounds like a tiny electric toothbrush. Whirrrr!
✨
🪥
The Camera
X-Rays
A special camera that can see through your teeth! It checks for cavities inside.
"What is a cavity?"
A tiny hole in your tooth caused by germs and plaque.
📸
🦴
Activity Time!
Get your Sequencing Cards ready. We are going to put the dental visit in order!
1. Cut
2. Sort
3. Glue
Healthy Smiles Anchor Chart 🦷
🦷
My Dental Checkup
Step-by-Step to a Healthy Smile!
1
🛋️
The Waiting Room
We check in at the front desk and wait for our turn!
2
🪥
The Cleaning
The Hygienist uses special tools to make your teeth sparkle.
3
📸
The X-Rays
Taking pictures that can see the inside of your teeth.
4
🧐
The Checkup
The Dentist checks for cavities and keeps your smile strong.
5
🎁
The Goody Bag
Great job! You get a new toothbrush, floss, and stickers!
Dental Sequence Worksheet My Dental Sequence
Cut and glue the steps in order!
Name:
Date:
1. First
2. Next
3. Then
4. Next
5. Finally
What step looks the most interesting or fun?
The step that looks most interesting is
because
Sequencing Cards
Teacher: Cut these out or have students cut along the dotted lines.
🛋️
Waiting Room
Checking in at the front desk and playing with toys.
🪥
Cleaning
The hygienist uses a scaler and polisher to clean teeth.
📸
X-Rays
A special camera takes pictures of the inside of teeth.
🧐
Dentist Check
The dentist looks for cavities and checks for health.
🎁
Goody Bag
Picking out a new toothbrush and a fun sticker!