Delta Dental shoulders cost of programs at Children’s Museum
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Children’s Museum of Phoenix and Delta Dental of Arizona have partnered to bring oral health programming to the Museum for the month of February — National Children’s Dental Health Month.
This marks the 16th consecutive year that the museum and Delta Dental of Arizona have joined forces to provide oral health education programs to museum visitors, according to a press release.
The museum will host interactive activities, shows and educational information related to the mouth, teeth, and oral health all month long, the release states.
“Since its inception, this program has provided more than half a million children as well as their families and caregivers with proper oral hygiene education and dental supplies. Tooth decay is the number one chronic disease among children, but it is nearly 100% preventable,” said Barb Kozuh, executive director of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation. “Through this program, together with the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, we are empowering children and adults alike with knowledge that can keep them healthy throughout their lives.”
Featured programs, each of which will be presented on select days throughout the month of February include:
- The Great Arizona Puppet Theater: Back again this year, the theatre will be performing several fun oral health-themed puppet shows, each tailored to a specific age range and development level. The puppet shows will take place at 10 a.m. and again at noon on Feb. 3, 10, 11, 17, and 25.
- The Great Flossini Presents “The Totally Tooth-Ular Magic Show:” Audience members become a part of the show with highly interactive magic routines designed specifically to reinforce the importance of brushing, flossing, eating healthy foods and visiting the dentist regularly. The magic shows will take place at 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Feb. 2, 7, 14, 16, and 23.
- From First Tooth to Loose Tooth: Q&A sessions with dental students from A.T. Still University. This program invites parents to ask questions about anything from thumb-sucking to the best time to take your baby to the dentist. Times and dates vary.
In addition to these featured programs, there will be daily hands-on activities ranging from art projects to teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques; crafts to create tooth-saver necklaces; educational opportunities in the KIDchen and The Children’s Garden to learn about the healthy foods you can eat that help your teeth stay healthy; and even programs about the teeth of various animals.
Back by popular demand are also the Delta Dental of Arizona “Smile Bags” containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and fun facts about dental health.
