Miles of smiles

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, ageappropriate 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. ”

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. 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.