March 12, 2024 -Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation’s Land of Smiles program visited 100 students at Our Lady of Lourdes School on Tuesday. Land of Smiles is a free educational program that aims to give children information on essential oral health habits.
The program is designed not just to educate, but also to entertain. Characters such as Captain Super Grin, Terri Tooth Fairy, Toothpick, and their playful nemesis, Caz Cavity, captivate young audiences while delivering important messages about oral hygiene, nutrition, and regular dental check-ups.
Tooth decay remains the leading chronic disease affecting children. Research shows that 22% of Illinois third graders have untreated tooth decay.
Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation’s free Land of Smiles program tours twice a year.
In the first half of 2024, Land of Smiles plans to reach over 30,000 pre-kindergarten through third-grade students in nearly 150 Illinois schools.
Every student at a Land of Smiles performance receives a free oral health kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, along with bilingual oral health tips outlining how students should care for their teeth.
