November 2, 2024

Delta Dental of Missouri’s popular Land of Smiles® dental education program is on the road this fall, taking the crusade for healthy teeth to more than 18,000 youngsters at 70 schools across the state in the coming weeks. The cast of dynamic superhero characters made their most recent stop in Lee’s Summit for a performance at Hawthorn Hill Elementary School and Mason Elementary School, teaching good dental health habits to more than 525 students in kindergarten through third grade.

The Land of Smiles® experience follows superhero Captain Super Grin® as he defeats his nemesis, Caz CavitySM, with help from his sidekicks Terri Tooth FairySM and ToothpickSM. 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, available in English and Spanish, to make learning about dental health entertaining for kids. Delta Dental of Missouri also offers free “smile bags” to schools for participating students. Each bag includes a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss to help students practice the good oral health habits they learn. Short videos, which recap important oral health tips from the program , are now accessible for caregivers at https://www.landofsmilesmo.org/parent-caregiver-information.

“Our engaging Land of Smiles show is a favorite for kids, teachers and parents alike, as it encourages children to develop good dental habits at a young age that will help them have healthy, glowing smiles for life,” said Stacy Harris, supervisor of community outreach at Delta Dental of Missouri. “Pre- and post-show surveying demonstrates that, on average, students show a 34% increase in their good oral health behavior and knowledge after seeing a performance. 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 1.2 million kids how to take care of their growing smiles through more than 6,000 onsite performances at schools in 112 Missouri counties, and through its online version. More than 40% of schools receiving the program have 70% of students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program. 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 [email protected] to request an in-person, live show for this school year, or visit www.LandofSmilesMO.org to gain access to the virtual program on a date and time that works for their students.