The Basic Hygiene Video

Gr 5–8—Two attractive teen actors host the program, with expert advice provided by Dr. Peter Richel. The issues covered include body order, oral hygiene, hair cleanliness, foot odor, and skin and hand care. Each of these issues is explained similarly. A young person asks a question, the hosts provide answers, and the doctor explains further. Some of the topics are demonstrated with animation, while young actors act out the solutions. This program provides some answers, but is incomplete and could be misleading. For instance, acne is presented as a condition that can be resolved by face washing. No mention of body chemistry or diet is included. The solution for bad breath is presented as good oral hygiene, but again, there is no mention of diet or other health issues that manifest themselves as bad breath. Similarly, always wearing clean clothes, as recommended by the program, may not be an option for all students. The PDF teachers' guide includes a program summary, the National Health Education Standards for grades six to eight, student activities, and fact sheets.