MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract:
Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is the most chronic, preventable disease in early childhood in the United States. Disparities in oral health care are especially prevalent in children from low-income families. Discovery Station Early Head Start in Montgomery County, Maryland has an educational preventative oral health care program that addresses this problem. In the first part of this guide, I introduce ECC and statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to identify ECC prevalence. I explain why ECC and early childhood oral health care are important to overall future health. In addition, I present data describing the oral health disparities in low-income children in the United States. I then present previous preventative programs that had a significant impact on ECC incidence. In the second part of this guide, I will outline the information that will be covered in the program, starting from the first to the final week. I will also go over the requirements for the program. Finally, I will end with a sample information sheet that would be included at one of the lectures or workshops in the program. The information sheet will direct new or pregnant mothers on how to clean their children’s teeth before their children’s teeth erupt.

Reader’s Profile:
I imagine a reader who interested in Early Head Start. He or she may be doubtful about whether they need to enroll in such a program or whether they meet the requirements for enrolling in the program.

Reader’s Response:
This sounds like an interesting program, but I’m not sure if my child and I would need it. My parents never enrolled in this type of program, and I’ve already learned how to clean my child’s teeth from them. I also don’t know if I would qualify to enroll in this program because of the requirements – I wouldn't be able to work for at least four Saturdays over a two-month period to go to this program. I’m not sure if the program is worth it…

Revised Thesis:
Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is the most chronic, preventable disease in early childhood in the United States. Disparities in oral health care are especially prevalent in children from low-income families. However, many low-income families are not aware of the importance of early childhood oral healthcare. This guide will therefore make parents aware of the importance of oral health care in early childhood and introduce an ECC preventative program in Early Head Start.

Voice: First person for the abstract
Third person for the first part introducing ECC and the importance of early childhood oral health care. First person for the program overview and information sheet.

Citation:
Formal APA with references throughout.

N, looks like a good plan. Do you have a suggestion for videos or media on tooth care? You can include a link or reference to such in the parent guide portion.