Delta Dental of Missouri’s Land of Smiles show teaches students good habits for healthy teeth

February was National Children’s Dental Health Month and Delta Dental of Missouri’s popular, award-winning Land of Smiles dental education program went on the road, taking the crusade for healthy teeth to 16,000 youngsters at 75 schools across the state. The cast of dynamic superhero characters made their most recent stop in St. Louis with performances at Cold Water Elementary School, Glenridge Elementary School, Walnut Grove Primary School, Blevins Elementary School, Barretts Elementary School, Lawson Elementary School, Aspire Academy, Christ Community Lutheran School-Webster, Holy Cross Academy and Blades Elementary School – teaching good dental health habits to 2,300 students in kindergarten through third-grade.

The Land of Smiles experience follows superhero Captain Super Grin, as he defeats his nemesis, Caz Cavity, with help from his sidekicks Terri Tooth Fairy and Toothpick. Students learn the importance of brushing teeth twice a day, flossing, using mouthwash, eating healthy foods and visiting the dentist regularly. The program includes an oral health curriculum that adheres to National Health Education Standards, as well as standards for Missouri. It contains engaging, age-appropriate materials to make learning about dental health entertaining for kids and includes activity sheets, which are also now available in Spanish. Delta Dental of Missouri also offers free “smile bags” to schools for students who participate in the program. Each bag includes a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss to help students practice the good oral health habits they learn.

“Our lively Land of Smiles show makes learning about dental health truly fun for kids. But, most importantly, it’s memorable,” said Rob Goren, president and chief executive officer at Delta Dental of Missouri. “Pre- and post-show testing demonstrates that on average, students show a 35% increase in their good oral health behavior and knowledge after seeing a performance. And, that’s the positive outcome we all want.”

Since its inception in the fall of 2002, the Delta Dental of Missouri’s Land of Smiles program has taught more than 1.1 million kids how to take care of their growing smiles through more than 4,800 onsite performances at schools in 113 Missouri counties, and through its online version. The Land of Smiles experience is provided free of charge to schools, courtesy of Delta Dental of Missouri.

Local teachers, school nurses and principals are invited to email Schools@NationalTheatre.com to request an in-person, live show for the spring semester, or visit www.LandofSmilesMO.org to gain access to the online program on a date and time that works for their students this spring.

By Dan Zarlenga

Four of a kind can be a winning hand in the game of poker. Apparently, in the game of life it is for the armadillo, too.

The nine-banded armadillo is truly a unique creature in Missouri. Armadillos are mammals, but one might think they look more like an ambling, leathery football. The odd critter is covered by two large plates with a series of nine smaller moveable “girdles” or “bands” around the midsection, the characteristic that gives the armadillo its name. This creates a structure a little like the carapace of a turtle, except the armadillo can’t retreat within it.

“Armadillo” means “little armored one” in Spanish. Look closely, though, and you’d notice tiny hairs poking up through the carapace and below it, which gives away the fact that the creature is a mammal.

Prior to 1980 or so, you’d likely have never seen an armadillo in Missouri. The adventurous little mammalian armored tanks came from Central America and Mexico, first expanding into Texas around 1849. From there, the armadillo made its way into the southwestern part of the Show-Me-State some 40 years ago and has been spreading farther north ever since. They can now be found throughout most of the state, except for pockets in the northern portion.

Armadillos have very poor eyesight, so if you one startles you out on a trail, you’ve probably done the same to it!

They do have a superb sense of smell, however. This helps them to sniff out their preferred food: insects, grubs, and invertebrates that hide directly beneath the soil. The armadillo uses its sharp claws to dig them up as soon as it catches their scent. This habit can sometimes put them at odds with homeowners who may find armadillos digging up their lawns and gardens. Rest assured that it’s nothing personal . . . just some sloppy eating habits.

Female armadillos have their young in the latter part of March, near the Vernal Equinox. One of the oddest things about armadillos is that every mother gives birth to a set of quadruplets. Each of the four offspring is genetically identical, gender and all! Strange as it is, dealing out four of a kind seems to be a strategy that has played out well for armadillos in the high stakes card game of survival.

Armadillos are not really so good at bluffing, though . . . especially against automobiles. One evolutionary behavior that has not benefited them so well is their tendency to jump three or four feet straight up into the air when threatened or startled. Perhaps in the wild, this bluff works well to confuse and disorient a would-be predator so the armadillo can get away after landing again. Unfortunately, when crossing roadways, it’s a gamble they tend to lose. The tactic often lands them square into the grill of an oncoming vehicle. Even the little armored one’s shell can’t save them from that impact. It’s why we tend to see so many dead armadillos along roads.

So, what’s the final takeaway then? If ever you find yourself playing a game of poker against a mother armadillo, you better be holding a royal or straight flush if you hope to win!

Dan Zarlenga is the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Media Specialist for the St. Louis Region, where he’s served since 2008. He likes to dabble in nature photography, hiking, exploring Missouri and its night skies, and occasionally backpacking and kayaking.

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News

St. Louis Bi-State Area Intergroup of Overeaters Anonymous celebrates anniversary the St. Louis Bi-State area was organized by Mary Anne S. The program has been a continuous presence ever since.

OA members will gather on March 18 for a 12hour celebratory day of recovery and fellowship. For registration information about the event, contact Debbie K. at 636-634-6201

The first OA meeting took place in California in 1960. Thirteen years later, in 1973, the first group in

Today, the St. Louis Bi-State Area Intergroup is the hub for over 35 weekly meetings in St. Louis City, seven Missouri counties plus five counties in Illinois. Overeaters Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship of individuals who support each other while reaching for and living in recovery. It is patterned after the twelve-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous

OA welcomes everyone who has a problem with food including those who compulsively overeat and/ or engage in compulsive food behaviors such as anorexia, bulimia or other food-related problems.

For general information about OA visit oa.org. For information about the St. Louis Bi-State Area Intergroup of OA visit stlouisoa.org.

Voting begins March 6, and ends March 31, 2022.

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Chiropractor Real

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N New Florissant Rd. Florissant, MO 63033 314-837-9423

Helfer’s Pastries & Deli Café 380 St. Ferdinand St. Florissant, MO 63031 314-837-6050

Vantage Credit Union 601 Greenway Chase Florissant, MO 63031 314-298-0055

Dalmation Cleaning & Restoration 33 Mercury Dr. Florissant, MO 63031 314-423-0101

Handyman True Value Hardware 2635 N. Hwy 67 Florissant, MO 63033 314-831-0220

J.C.’s Jewelry & Repair 14011 New Halls Ferry Rd Florissant, MO 63033 314 839-8100

Fleck’s Appliance Center 601 N. Jefferson St. Florissant, MO 63031 314 -837-3611

Simmons Bank 1001 Howdershell Road Florissant, MO 63031 314-838-8989

Woodland Dental Care 1133 Howdershell Road Florissant, MO 63031 314-839-9339

No Excuses Personal Training Bootcamp 917 N. Hwy 67 Florissant, MO 63031 314-324-3221

ArchWell Health 199 N. Florissant Road Ferguson, MO 63135 314-349-8347

Wilson Land Management 14628 Old Halls Ferry Rd. Florissant, MO 63034 314-839-0721

Athletico Physical Therapy Florissant 790 N Hwy 67 Florissant, MO 63031 314-972-1442

Hendel’s 599 Rue St. Denis Florissant, MO 63031 314-837-2304

Adney Art 1450 Estes Dr. Florissant, MO 63031 314-504-1581

Fortman Spann Law Firm 250 St. Catherine St. Florissant, MO 63031 314-522-2312

Catering to You Banquet Center 12775 New Halls Ferry Rd. Florissant, MO 63033 314-839-3244

Feel State 444 Howdershell Road Florissant, MO 63031 636-299-7781

Dooley’s Florists & Gifts 690 Rue St. Francois Florissant, MO 63031 314-837-7444

Goldkamp Heating & Cooling 890 N. Lafayette St. Florissant, MO 63031 314-839-3332

First Impressions Lawn & Garden 1555 St. Loretto Dr. Florissant, MO 63033 314-267-6672

Dr. Phillip Conway, MD - Mercy 755 Dunn Rd., Suite 110 Hazelwood, MO 63042 314-731-1113

Village North Retirement Community 11160 Village North Dr. St. Louis, MO 63136 314-355-8010

Morrison Travel & Cruise 738 Rue St. Francois St. Florissant, MO 63031 314-838-9000

Archway Engraving & Trophies 1040 St. Francois St. Florissant, MO 63031 314-831-1165

Korte’s Custom Framing & Antiques 560 N. Jefferson Florissant, MO 63031 314-837-3400

Old Town Donuts 510 N. New Florissant Road Florissant, MO 63031 314-831-0907

Hutchens Mortuary & Cremation Center 675 Graham Rd. Florissant, MO 63031 314-831-3100

Precious Palms Home Health Services, LLC 729 Rue St. Francois Florissant, MO 63031 314-802-7445

Phancy Fingers & Feet 480 Rue St. Francois Florissant, MO 63031 314-942-9972

JS Photography STL 302 Rue St. Francois St. Florissant, MO 63031 314-448-9495

One Way Roo ng, LLC 5494 Brown Rd. Hazelwood, MO 63042 314-209-1782

Total Access Urgent Care 1090 N Hwy 67 Florissant, MO 63031 314 778-3186

Complete Auto Body & Repair 6041 N. Lindbergh Blvd. Hazelwood, MO 63042 314-731-7999

Bommarito of Hazelwood 675 Dunn Rd. Hazelwood, MO 63042 314-895-0600

Auto Spa Etc of Florissant 2040 N. Hwy 67 Florissant, MO 63033 314-831-3090

Kay Bee Electric 250 Rue St. Francois Florissant, MO 63031 314-837-3308

Goeke Produce Co. Inc. 449 St. Ferdinand St. Florissant, MO 63031 314-831-1931

Martin & Sons 8460 N. Lindbergh Blvd. Florissant, MO 63031 314-839-0700

The George Bean Project 733 Rue St. Charles Florissant, MO 63031 636 -385-2105

Red Oven Wood Fired Pizza 315 St. Francois St. Florissant, MO 63031 314-254-7016

Christian Extended Care & Rehab 11160 Village North Dr. St. Louis, MO 63136 314-355-8010

Fogarty’s House of Vapor 2318A N. Hwy 67 Florissant, MO 63033 314-736-5268

Clara Belle Nursery School 1165 Humes Ln. Florissant, MO 63031 314-921-1156

Christian Extended Care & Rehabilitation 11160 Village North Dr. St. Louis, MO 63136 314-355-8010

Onyx Business and Print Center 611 S. Florissant Rd. Ferguson, MO 63135 314-733-5096

Henke’s Tavern & Grill 901 N. Lafayette Florissant, MO 63031 314-323-7176

Howdershell Animal Clinic 440 Howdershell Rd Florissant, MO 63031 314 838-3575

The events listed in this section are the latest updates as of press time, please check with individual sites for the most up to date cancellations and reschedule info.

Events

March 7: Estate planning seminar

“Estate Planning 101: Avoid the Common Mistakes,” presented by Dawn Christoffersen, Counselor at Law, takes place at 10 a.m. at Steve Robbins’ Conference Center at 325 Rue St. Francois in Florissant. The event is free but registration is required.

To RSVP call Joan at 314-8394600, email: Joan@SteveRobbinsOnline.com or register online at www.SteveRobbinsOnline.com.

March 28: Long-term care planning seminar

Long-Term Care Planning event, presented by Ellen M. Lutzow, Attorney at Law, takes place at 10 a.m. at Steve Robbins’ Conference Center at 325 Rue St. Francois in Florissant. The event is free but registration is required.

To RSVP call Joan at 314-8394600, email: Joan@SteveRobbinsOnline.com or register online at www.SteveRobbinsOnline.com.

April 27: Shred event

Shred Day! Drive, Drop and Donate takes place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Steve Robbins’ Office Parking Lot at 325 Rue St. Francois in Florissant. Help us support T.E.A.M. Food Pantry while cleaning out your old documents. If you are able, please bring a minimum of one canned food item for each bag or box you would like to shred. If you are unable to make it during this time, you are welcome to drop off your documents and canned items

Recurring Events

Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is in need of ongoing adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients. Two-to-four hour shifts are available, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. To learn more or to join this fun group, contact Chelsey Banaskavich at 314-513-1674 or cbanaskavich@jfcs-stl.org.

Mondays: Choral Arts

Group meetings

Choral Arts Group practices every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Connection Christian Church at 1332 Feise Rd. in O’Fallon. Auditions not required. Ages high school and older are invited to join. There will be spring and fall public concerts. For more information call Marty at 636-579-