Staff at Tauranga's first Kohanga Reo participating in an annual oral health competition are challenging others to get involved.

Papamoa's Te Kohanga Reo o Te Akau is using this year's World Oral Health Day Competition to add to the healthy living messages they already promote.

Kaimahi (head teacher) Waiwhetu Walker says she wants others to do the same.

'Two of our Kaimahi, Rina Walker and Davina Eru, spend time with the kids every day teaching them how to brush and look after their teeth.

'We have taken the approach of teaching the parents through the children, so what you find is the children will be taking the lessons learned here back into the family home. The competition helps reinforce those messages.

'We would like to give a shout out to all the other Kohanga Reo in Tauranga to take up the challenge next year for the sake of their tamariki.”

The competition theme was ‘Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body' and the Bay's 26 participating early childhood centres recorded activities in a book provided by contest organisers the Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) Oral Health Promotion team.

These oral health messages backed up the healthy living lessons already being promoted at Te Kohanga Reo o Te Akau.

'Eight years ago we began growing things like Kamo kamo, pumpkin, strawberries and tomatoes in our frontyard,” says Waiwhetu.

'Now in the backyard we also have macadamias, apples, oranges and peaches. It's about feeding families, healthy eating and teaching the children about growing fruit and vegetables.

'We teach them through karakia (prayer/incantation), and through reference to our gods, like Haumia-tiketike, god of uncultivated foods, or Tangaroa, god of the sea.

'It's a holistic message so, for example with Tangaroa, we teach them everything around the subject of the sea, about seafood, going to the beach and gathering food and about safety near the water.”

Waiwhetu is grateful to Maori health provider Te Kupenga Hauora for its ongoing help and support.

BOPDHB Oral Health Promoter Norma Van Arendonk praises the work undertaken by Te Kohanga Reo o Te Akau.

'It's wonderful that Kohanga are involved and they did such a wonderful job.

'We would really encourage others to get involved next year, it brings so many benefits to the tamariki. It's an opportunity for everybody to raise awareness about the benefits of healthy eating and drinking, as well as good dental hygiene for all of our children.”

Free dental care is available for 0-17 year-olds and anyone wanting further information on dental care should call 0800 Talk Teeth (0800 8255 83384).

Any Kohanga Reo, as well as other early childhood centres, wishing to take part in next year's competition should contact Norma Van Arendonk on 07 577 3334.