Podcast: Smiles and sounds: Toddler oral health and speech development

Podcasts Smiles and sounds: Toddler oral health and speech development

Smiles and sounds: Toddler oral health and speech development

'Smiles and Sounds' explores speech and oral milestones from 12 months to school age, focusing on key developmental stages.

An initiative of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, the Clinicians Guide to the First 2000 Days podcast series offers practical advice to healthcare professionals to empower them to have meaningful discussions with parents and parents-to-be.

‘Smiles and Sounds’ explores speech and oral milestones from 12 months to school age, focusing on key developmental stages. Experts discuss routine milestone assessments that help identify potential issues early, offering insights into prevention and the importance of early intervention. The conversation emphasises how healthcare professionals can support children’s speech and oral health for optimal development before school age.

Professional support resources:

Red Flags Early Identification Guide – https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/167093/red-flags.pdf
Brush Your Teeth, Kids Toothbrushing Song with the Wiggles – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOiYN7iU-W8
Let’s Brush with Bluey 2 Minute Toothbrush timer with music – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOR2U4xaGBY
Brush Your Teeth Song (Incy Wincy Spider), Peppa Pig – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCpBRgKesn4
First Five Forever – https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/first5forever/watch
Raising Children – https://raisingchildren.net.au/
Speech Pathology Australia – https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/
Read and Learn to Talk – https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/resources/health-services/speech-pathology/read-and-talk-to-learn-rattl
Early Childhood Australia – https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/
Teeth for Life Program (Happy Teeth Program) – Happy Teeth Program | Queensland Health

Meet our guests

Stephen Moore and Kym Dunston

Stephen Moor is an Oral Health Therapist with over 35 years’ experience working for Metro North HHS across both the Queensland Children’s Hospital at South Brisbane and the Oral Health Centre at Herston.

Stephen provides dental care to children requiring special care, including children with cleft lip and palate, cranio-facial anomalies, medically compromised children, children diagnosed with ASD and cerebral palsy.

He is passionate about promoting the importance of good oral health to prevent dental disease and provide children with a fun and inviting environment to experience positive outcomes.

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Kym Dunston is a paediatric speech pathologist with over 25 years’ experience in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, supporting children with communication and literacy development, whether that be in a clinic or in homes, schools, and childcare services.

Kym’s current role in the Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing team involves bringing together what is known about the Social Determinants of Health and the importance of the early years to improve health equity, especially for vulnerable children