Tooth Fairies visit local schools through The Tooth Fairy Experience Program. Photo courtesy Delta Dental
Looking for fun and memorable ideas for teach your little one about the importance of taking care of their teeth? Delta Dental’s The Tooth Fairy Experience provides helpful year-round tips, activity sheets for home use, Tooth Fairy letters for children, a Tooth Fairy hotline with pre-recorded messages and more to help parents educate kids about dental care.
The Tooth Fairy Experience is also a free dental health education program for kids and is bringing a new storybook and lesson plan t schools throughout Washington this year. The “Feeding Your Smile” program is focused on the connection between nutrition, healthy active lifestyles and your kids oral health and is available for K-2 teachers and school nurses for free download. The program also offers in-person or virtual visits from a team of tooth fairies.
Learning through storytelling and play
What does the program reinforce? It helps kids understand why drinking tap water, avoiding sugary drinks and candy, and eating vegetables and fruits helps their smile and their overall health. Through the Tooth Fairy-led presentations students play games, test their knowledge and listen to a Tooth Fairy read the latest storybook.
“Programs like ‘The Tooth Fairy Experience’ are great ways to get children excited about taking care of their oral health. This latest module helps children understand that their favorite sports and activities contribute to keeping their growing bodies and their teeth healthy,” said Kyle Dosch, DDS, in a release. Dosch is Delta Dental of Washington’s dental director and member dentist.
“Children also learn how to make healthy food and beverage choices on their own, giving them a sense of ownership over their health.”
Local author creates guiding story
“Smile Scouts: A Tooth Fairy Tale,” the new story that accompanies the program was written and illustrated by Washington-based children’s book author and illustrator Kelly Rae Bahr and was released this summer. Through it, children learn how what they eat and drink affects their teeth, how staying active can help support their oral health and overall health, and why protecting their teeth with a mouthguard when playing sports such as soccer, lacrosse and ice hockey can prevent permanent damage your teeth. The book is available to parents via E-reader on The Tooth Fairy Experience website.
The “Feeding Your Smile” lesson plan is the third created for The Tooth Fairy Experience, joining Caring for Your Smile and Baby Teeth Matter. All three modules are offered at no cost to teachers and school nurses in the state of Washington.
Why good dental care in childhood is critical
Children who experience tooth decay are more likely to miss school, have lower academic success and have an increased risk for lifelong dental problems. Over time, poor oral health can increase systemic inflammation, which may limit growth and development and increase the risk of adverse health outcomes, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
To learn more about Delta Dental of Washington’s dental education program at www.TheToothFairyExperience.
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