--- title: Big Smiles Begin Young description: Healthy nutrition in preschool promotes growth, learning, and lifelong healthy habits. Explore Go NAPSACC tools and strategies to enhance your child care program's nutrition practices. image: https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/Clix%202026.02.17%20NAPSACC%20Oral%20Health.png --- [![Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png?width=666&height=414&name=Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png "Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo")](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication) Open main menu Close main menu [Child Care Health and Wellness](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-health-and-wellness) # Big Smiles Begin Young [Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/author/child-care-aware-of-missouri) [Share this blog post via Email](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EBig+Smiles+Begin+Young%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post%3A+https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/chaw-big-smiles-begin-young) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/chaw-big-smiles-begin-young) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/chaw-big-smiles-begin-young) ![](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/Clix%202026.02.17%20NAPSACC%20Oral%20Health.png) A healthy mouth is more than just a bright smile, it's a vital part of a child’s overall health and well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40 percent of children experience tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten, making it the most common chronic disease among children in the United States. The good news? Most tooth decay is completely preventable with good oral health habits. Establishing oral health routines early supports both physical and mental development. Healthy teeth help children speak clearly, chew comfortably, and smile confidently— laying the groundwork for learning, nutrition, and self-esteem. Go NAPSACC (Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care) provides practical resources to help programs implement oral health best practices and encourage healthy habits for children and families. Registration is now open for the April 2026 Go NAPSACC project. [Click here to learn more](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F52LXNS) about the program and discover how your child care center can help promote bright, healthy smiles every day. If you have questions, please contact Lauri Choate, Director of Training, at [lauri@mochildcareaware.org](mailto:lauri@mochildcareaware.org) or 314-754-1603. --- Explore our other Child Care Aware® of Missouri resources: [Clock Hour Training](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/free-clock-hour-training) [Scholarships for Educators](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/scholarships-for-educators) [Child Care Health and Wellness](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-nutrition-and-physical-activity) [Family Child Care Network](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/family-child-care-network) [Leadership Development Opportunities](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/leadership-development-opportunities) [Missouri Office of Childhood Updates](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/missouri-office-of-childhood-updates) [Show Me Child Care Resources](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/show-me-child-care-resources) [Support Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/support-child-care-aware) [Community Data](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/community-data) [Join Our Team](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/join-our-team) [Resources to Build Your Business ](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/resources-to-build-your-business)     #### About - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### Services - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### News - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram