In 2004, the dental service of the Frankfurt (Oder) public health department launched the "Kita mit Biss" prevention program. This was prompted by the findings of dental check-ups at daycare centers. Early childhood caries in particular was found in many children. This form of tooth decay is caused by the constant consumption of drinks from feeding bottles.
The aim was to create an environment that promotes oral health in the city's daycare centers.
Together with the nursery teachers, practical guidelines for action have been developed, including sugar-free mornings, fruit and vegetable snacks with lots of chewing and the provision of sugar-free drinks, as well as weaning young children who can already drink from a cup from an early age from using a feeding bottle. Supporting and accompanying daily tooth brushing at the facility is also a component.
The 4th evaluation of the program was carried out this year. Discussions were held with daycare center managers to determine the feasibility of the guidelines.
29 daycare centers in the city participate in the prevention program. The guidelines proved to be practicable and are being implemented consistently.
"Kita mit Biss" is now an integral part of everyday daycare in 589 daycare centers in 13 districts and four independent cities in Brandenburg as well as in facilities in six other federal states.
In 2015, the program won the nationwide prevention prize of the "Initiative for a Mouth-Healthy Future in Germany".
The success of the prevention program is also evident in the evaluations of the oral health data of the city of Frankfurt (Oder). In the 2004/2005 school year, the proportion of five-year-old daycare children with naturally healthy primary dentition was 44.7%, compared to 67.2% in the 2022/2023 school year.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary, the dental service of the health department invited representatives of the daycare centers and the initiators of the prevention program at the time to a festive event to reflect together and exchange ideas.