Superhero to Visit Over 2,000 Children in Eastern Idaho
Alligator Sidekick Helps Teach Basic Dental Hygiene
Captain Supertooth, a professional actor dressed as a muscular molar with six-pack abs and a cape, will use his superpowers to teach over 2,000 Idaho kindergartners, 1st, and 2nd graders next week to be “superheroes” when caring for their teeth. Fighting cavities is a reality for many children. Seven out of ten 3rd grade students in eastern and southeastern Idaho have experienced cavities, according to a 2005 Idaho Health and Welfare survey.
During the week of May 10th, Captain Supertooth and his trusty sidekick, Alex the Alligator, will travel to elementary schools teaching students how to fight plaque and decay. Using a giant toothbrush and audience participants, the learning environment is fun and interactive. Along with the presentation, each child receives a free toothbrush, two-minute timer, and a tooth brushing chart.
“We’ve had children correctly repeat Captain Supertooth’s advice to them, a year or more after he visited their school. Parents are thrilled when suddenly their child is brushing their teeth without having to be told, simply because ‘Captain Supertooth said so’” says Lisa Reed, Delta Dental Community Outreach manager.
As part of its community outreach work, Delta Dental of Idaho established the Captain Supertooth program to help educate young children about proper brushing and good dental health. Since inception of the program in 2005, Captain Supertooth has presented to more than 18,000 Idaho children. Priority is given to schools where 50% or more students qualify for free or reduced lunches.
Delta Dental of Idaho is the state’s oldest and largest dental benefits carrier and is a non-profit organization. They have been dedicated to better dental health for more than 35 years. Delta Dental Community Outreach, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Idaho, includes multiple programs that focus on education and preventive treatment for Idahoans with and without dental coverage.
For more information, please contact Kym Browning at (208) 489-3564.