“Tipped. Healthy in the mouth and all around” in the changing backpack of the city of Vienna

The promotion of early childhood oral health does not only begin in dental control, but much earlier, namely before the first tooth. In order to start exactly at this point, the Viennese health promotion-WIG provides valuable information on the right dental care as well as a baby toothbrush and the lovingly designed children’s book “Mia and the tooth Vampire” in the wrap backpack of the City of Vienna as part of the “Mia and the tooth Vampire”. This initiative is the result of a successful cooperation between Vienna Health Promotion – WIG, the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) and the State Dentistry Association for Vienna in order to jointly contribute to the early promotion of oral health in children.

“Healthy teeth are not only a question of hygiene, but also health -promoting behavior. Early childhood health formation can be the key to a better quality of life – and this is exactly where ‘Tipptopp’ comes in,” explains Dennis Beck, Managing Director of Viennese health promotion – WIG. MMAG.A Agnes Streissler leader, Chair of the State Office Committee of the ÖGK Vienna, takes further attention to the importance of early health promotion: “Early practices who wants to stay healthy. Our cooperation with the WIG and the State Dentistry Association shows how important it is to reach children and families in good time and in a low-threshold way.” And the President of the State Dental Association for Vienna, Dr. Stephen Weinländer, MBA, adds: “In the first years of life, the foundation for oral and dental health is laid. It is all the more important to support parents with health information in this phase.”

Health education for parents and children

Every year, 15,000 diaper backpacks are distributed to Viennese families by Vienna’s child and youth welfare (MA 11). The winding backpack symbolizes the beginning of health formation and is the first step on the way to healthy teeth and a healthy future. The program “TipPtop. Healthy in the mouth and all around” has been an integral part of the winding backpack since 2017. The program itself is aimed at children from 0 to 12 years as well as their parents and caregivers. Every year, around 100,000 Viennese children benefit from around 1,300 institutions, including primarily kindergartens and elementary schools, but also FIDS schools (department for inclusion, diversity and special education) and middle schools. The close cooperation between the Vienna Health Promotion – WIG, the Austrian Health Insurance Fund and the State Dental Association for Vienna contributes to the fact that as many parents and children as possible are easily sensitized to dental health.

Via the program “Tipping. Healthy in the mouth and all around”

“Tipping. Healthy in the mouth and all around” is a program of the Viennese health promotion – WIG for Viennese children between the ages of 0 and 12, their parents and legal guardians. The measures are used to promote oral health in Viennese kindergartens and schools. In the course of the health care reform, a state health promotion fund (LGFF) was established by the social security and the city of Vienna. The program “TipPtop. Healthy in the mouth and all around” is financed from it and led by the Vienna Health Promotion – WIG. The program is controlled together with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund. Implementation partner is proges. More information about the project is available at www.tipptopp.wien.