BY: Lee Hui Chieh

DOCTORS will be asked to look out for dental problems in toddlers and pre-schoolers, and refer them to dentists.

Parents will also be encouraged to bring their toddlers for the first dental visit before they turn two, using the baby bonus to pay for it.

To raise awareness on this, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) will hold education sessions and send out brochures to them from next year.

The Health Ministry's chief dental officer, Associate Professor Patrick Tseng, unveiled these plans at the launch of this year's Oral Health Month on Tuesday.

The campaign, into its fifth year, includes a series of roadshows organised by the Singapore Dental Association and toothpaste manufacturer Colgate Palmolive.

There will be a segment to teach pre-schoolers how to brush their teeth properly and what foods to avoid through games and interactive exhibits.

Visitors to the roadshows can get free dental checks, and also at 253 participating dental clinics during August.

Over the next four weekends starting from Friday, roadshows will be held from 10.30am to 8.30pm, first at HDB Hub in Toa Payoh, and later at Ang Mo Kio Hub, Compass Point in Sengkang and Causeway Point in Woodlands.

To check for a participating clinic, visit www.colgate.com.sg/app/Colgate/SG/Corp/OralHealthMonth2008/Clinics.cvsp