They are pied pipers for good dental health, spreading the word about good brushing and flossing habits, one school at a time.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month. Ironton dentist Dr. Carl Gleichauf and his staff have been visiting area schools, talking to the children about what they can do to make sure their teeth will last a lifetime, the way they're supposed to.

"We've always gone to day cares, the One-Stop. I have a daughter at Whitwell Elementary and we usually go to her class. Two Fridays ago we went to Kingsbury," dental assistant Ra'etta Wise said. "We show them how to brush and how to floss."

Kingsbury Principal Annette Massie said the children were not only educated, they were amused by Gleichauf's illustration of correct flossing using humans to simulate giant teeth and a jump rope to simulate dental floss.

At the end of each visit, Gleichauf gives each of the children something to remind them that good dental health takes a little practice and some effort on their part: A toothbrush.