Tooth Fairy Program – A Fun Way To Promote Good Dental Health

Last week at its regular monthly meeting, The Kern County Children and Families Commission approved continued funding for the Tooth Fairy Program.

The Tooth Fairy Program, operated by Dedicated Dental Systems, was approved for a term of one year or less in an amount not to exceed $150,602. One of the initial projects funded by the Commission, the program dresses educators as the popular tooth fairy character to make dental health and education both fun and entertaining. Dressed in elaborate costumes, complete with silvery wings and a wand, tooth fairies travel to preschools throughout the County teaching children about dental health and nutrition and proper brushing and flossing techniques. A follow-up component of the program encourages parents to seek regular dental care for their children.

Now entering its third year of operation, the program has had tremendous success in getting needed dental education and treatment to children two to five years of age. To date, the program has provided oral hygiene instruction to more than 15,800 children. In addition, the tooth fairies have been able to identify families in need of dental insurance and refer them to Dedicated Dental’s Community Resource Center.

There the families can be enrolled in the Healthy Families insurance program or signed up for Medi-Cal benefits. Often times insurance, or the lack of it, creates a barrier to many children having adequate dental care, says Pete Parra, chairperson of the Commission. The Tooth Fairy program helps families overcome that barrier, provides the children with dental education and helps get them to treatment when needed. This program is a perfect example of how Proposition 10 funds are working to improve the overall health of young children and educate parents throughout our community.

Author Notes:

Lisa Powel contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com.  Everything you need to know to get a whiter, brighter smile!