Exciting Dental Education Hits Lexington County!
Lexington County, SC – Fall is here, and with it comes a fantastic initiative making the rounds in our local schools! This week, the Land of Smiles® dental education program, brought to you by Delta Dental of South Carolina, rolled into town with a mission: to educate over 8,500 kids about the importance of dental health. It’s not all about the facts and figures, though – these lessons come alive with fun and excitement for our young learners!
The Superhero Show!
At Gilbert Elementary School and Congaree Elementary School, the stage was set for an entertaining performance that captured the attention of nearly 950 students in kindergarten to third grade. The highlight of the show? Captain Super Grin® battles his arch-nemesis, Caz CavitySM, with a little help from his friends, Terri Tooth FairySM and ToothpickSM. It’s a delightful way to showcase good dental health habits through engaging stories that resonate with young minds.
What the Kids Learned
The Land of Smiles® experience is not just about entertainment; it’s packed with valuable information. Kids learn the essentials of maintaining a healthy mouth, like:
- Brushing teeth twice a day
- Flossing regularly
- Rinsing with mouthwash
- Choosing healthy foods
- Visiting the dentist often
The program’s content is fun, engaging, and designed to adhere to both the National Health Education Standards and the specific needs of South Carolina students. With materials available in both English and Spanish, it reaches out to a diverse group of kids and caregivers.
Smile Bags for the Future!
But that’s not all! Each participating school receives free smile bags filled with essentials like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. This exciting giveaway helps kids put their new knowledge into practice right away. Plus, there’s a great resource available online for parents and caregivers. A short video recaps all the important oral health tips covered in the show, which you can explore on the Land of Smiles® website.
Impressive Impact
Stacy Harris, the supervisor of community outreach at Delta Dental of South Carolina, expressed her enthusiasm about these performances: “Our engaging Land of Smiles show is a favorite for kids, teachers, and parents alike! It encourages children to develop good dental habits at a young age that will help them have healthy, glowing smiles for life.”
The impact of this program is noteworthy. Data from pre- and post-show surveys indicated that students showed an impressive increase of 34% in their dental health knowledge and behaviors after attending the performance. That’s what we all want to see – a positive change in our kids’ health habits!
A Long-Lasting Initiative
Since its inception in 2014, the Land of Smiles® program has significantly contributed to the health education of over 340,000 children. With more than 1,200 onsite and virtual performances in 44 South Carolina counties, this initiative plays a crucial role in addressing dental health education, especially in schools where over 60% of students participate in free and reduced lunch programs.
Teachers, school nurses, and principals, take note! If you’re interested in bringing this entertaining and educational program to your school, you can email the Land of Smiles® team to schedule a show this school year. Trust us; your students are going to love it!
Let’s keep spreading the message of healthy smiles throughout Lexington County and beyond!
