Food brings people together. Whether you gather around the dinner table at Thanksgiving, invite friends over for a home-cooked meal, or experiment with a new recipe, food is a social catalyst. We literally can’t live without it! Nutrition has also been proven to be a critical part of patient care, providing physiological benefits and creating a sense of comfort. A piping hot bowl of chicken noodle soup tastes like heaven when you have a cold. Nonetheless, nutrition is often overlooked in the clinical setting and in patient education. A balanced diet is typically not the priority of a care plan. Yet, the food is medicine movement has taken off in recent years, raising awareness about the important role food and nutrition have in care management.

Getting kids to brush and floss twice a day can feel as impossible as teaching them microchemistry. They may be teething, and it hurts to brush. They may not want to get ready for bed. They may not grasp why it’s important. But don’t give up. Teaching children to brush and floss early will benefit their oral health and teach them good habits that prevent cavities and tooth decay.