At our annual Celebration of Smiles event, held Thursday, February 21, during the Chicago Dental Society’s MidWinter Meeting, ExecutiveDirector, Jill Malmgren unveiled a new initiative that gives dental practices a way to equip at-risk kids with the information and basic tools needed to prevent decay.

“OurSmile Guardian education initiative offers dental practices the opportunity to be an Official Smile Guardian,” Malmgren told the roomful of invited guests. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to help prevent decay before it starts.”

The initiative is a response to reports from the nonprofit dental clinics America’sToothFairy serves as part of its nationwide Dental Resource Program. “We hear so many stories of children who not only know little about proper oral health but also lack basic oral hygiene products at home,” Malmgren said. “Unfortunately, most dental practices don’t have access to these kids, but our partner clinics and community volunteers do. They only need the resources.”

Through the initiative, benefactors help America’s ToothFairy distribute Protect Your Smile Resource Kits to organizations and schools that work with at-risk populations. Depending on the level of support each benefactor chooses, up to 2,000 kids can learn about proper oral health and be provided the basic tools needed to take care of their mouths. The kits contain scripted oral health lessons and activities, toothbrushes, educational activity sheets, mirror clings and brushing charts to remind children to brush, and Smile DriveToolkits to raise oral health awareness within the community.

For more information about the Smile Guardian educational initiative, call 704-719-9089.