The Tooth Fairy took a visit to Winlock May 21 for a fun and interactive dental health education presentation at Miller Elementary School.
The Tooth Fairy-led lesson was presented to all kindergarten, first and second grade students on the importance of good oral hygiene and how students can take care of their smiles. The presentation is part of “The Tooth Fairy Experience,” a free dental health education program presented statewide by Delta Dental of Washington.
“Baby Teeth Matter,” the second lesson plan created for “The Tooth Fairy Experience” by Delta Dental, was also presented to Miller Elementary students. The module is one of three the program offers, including “Caring For Your Smile” and “Feeding Your Smile.” All three modules are offered at no cost to teachers and school nurses statewide.
From its launch in 2019, as part of Delta Dental’s vision for a cavity-free Washington, “The Tooth Fairy Experience” aims to improve dental health habits at an early age, reduce the incidence of tooth decay and increase the number of children who regularly visit the dentist — with a focus on rural and medically underserved communities.
“‘The Tooth Fairy Experience’ is a great way to get children excited about taking care of their oral health. Each of the three modules help children learn how often to brush their teeth, how to properly floss, and that visiting the dentist isn’t scary,” Nadia M. Fugate, Delta Dental of Washington’s senior dental consultant, said in a news release. “Children also learn how to make healthy food and beverage choices on their own, giving them a sense of ownership over their health.”
Each “Tooth Fairy Experience” presentation, offered both in-person and virtually in English, Spanish and American Sign Language, lasts approximately 30 minutes and provides valuable knowledge about how kids can better take care of their smiles. The presentations, led by a diverse team of tooth fairies, include fun smile facts, a dental-themed storybook reading, and hands-on educational activities focused on healthy brushing and flossing habits, the importance of young teeth, good nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Each child also receives a free dental health kit, including a toothbrush, dental floss, toothpaste, and a two-minute timer to help kids remember to brush for two minutes twice daily.
To learn more about “The Tooth Fairy Experience,” visit https://toothfairy.deltadentalwa.com/.
