In an effort to teach young Lincolnwood children cavity-fighting oral health habits, the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation’s “Land of Smiles” program visited Rutledge Hall and Todd Hall Elementary School.
The entertaining and educational program, provided free to schools by the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, taught pre-kindergarten through third-grade students how to properly remove plaque from teeth to fight cavities and helped heroic Tooth Wizard defeat his arch-enemy PlaqueMan for the health of kids’ smiles, according to a news release.
During the “Land of Smiles,” the costumed characters demonstrated the correct way to brush and floss teeth using an oversized mouth and toothbrush and taught kids why it is important to use a fluoride rinse and visit the dentist twice a year. While PlaqueMan tried to disrupt the kids’ healthy habits, Tooth Wizard educated them about tooth-friendly foods and why it’s important to have sealants applied.
“We’re hoping to help decrease the number of young children with cavities by teaching them the importance of good oral health and how to take care of their teeth at an early age,” Lora Vitek, director of philanthropy and community relations for the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation said in the release. “‘Land of Smiles’ furthers our mission to improve Illinois children’s oral health and gets kids excited about dental care.”
The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation provided kids who attended the program a goody bag containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and oral health tips explaining how to take care of their teeth at home. Each participating school received a curriculum kit to help reinforce good oral health habits in the classroom, the release said.
Visit landofsmilesil.org for more information.
