It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, and the Humboldt County Dental Advisory Group is inviting residents to celebrate with free events and dental supplies.
As part of a national awareness campaign started by the American Dental Association, the local group has joined forces with community partners, and will be hosting communitywide educational activities and opportunities for families to receive free toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss.
The month’s biggest event is the Mini Dental Fair during the St. Joseph Health Fair on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Bayshore Mall. Attendees of all ages can have an oral health assessment done by a local volunteer dentist or dental hygienist, receive fluoride varnishing and free oral health supplies, play games, meet the tooth fairy, and see a special performance by local puppeteers Quack and Wabbit.
Tooth decay is the most common disease found in children, but is easily preventable. The goal for the month is to increase awareness that oral health issues are treatable with regular access to a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss as well as access to important preventive measures like fluoride varnish, dental sealants and fluoridated water.
Last year, the Smile Humboldt campaign kicked off in an effort to educate the community about tooth decay.
“Through our Smile Humboldt efforts we continue to bring more awareness and support, particularly making sure that children and their families, regardless of economic status, are never without oral health supplies,” said Leigh Pierre-Oetker, oral health consultant for the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services, Public Health.
Special displays will be in most of the county’s library locations, and the TOOTH educators from Redwood Community Action Agency will be part of the Main Library’s Story Hour on Friday, Feb. 17. Families are invited to attend the story hour and receive free oral health supplies along with other prizes and important information.
For more information about Smile Humboldt, visit smilehumboldt.org. For more information about the local Pediatric Oral Health Initiative, contact Humboldt County Public Health at 707-268-2172.
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