(Charlotte, North Carolina, October 19, 2015) – Nearing its 10-year anniversary, America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation was established in 2006 to address the disease of childhood tooth decay, particularly of underserved children and youth. Through its comprehensive programs, America’s ToothFairy mobilizes America’s youth and adult allies, as well as dental professionals, in finding innovative ways to prevent tooth decay before it starts. Recognizing the importance of mobilizing young people to solve the problems they face, America’s ToothFairy works to solve the issue of pediatric dental disease through its #MySmileMatters Youth Movement.
America’s ToothFairy is proud to announce seven winners of the 2015-2016 #MySmileMatters mini-grants. This effort was designed to spark the development of local oral health projects through the #MySmileMatters National Youth Engagement Plan, while allowing young people to incorporate their own creative approaches. This mini-grant recognizes the efforts of youth-focused groups and their adult allies across the U.S. who are working to raise the optics and conversation on children’s oral health. By providing mini-grants, America’s ToothFairy seeks to grow the #MySmileMatters Youth Movement at the local level and allow young people to become the voice of the importance of oral health literacy and access to oral healthcare for children.
The two $3,000 winners are Southwest High School HOSA of El Centro, CA, and Rolla Technical Center HOSA of Rolla, MO. The two $1,000 winners are the Health & Wellness Club at Lawrenceburg High School in Lawrenceburg, IN, and the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The three $250 winners are as follows: Boys & Girls Club of Stamford (CT), Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion & Polk Counties (OR) and Chattahoochee High School HOSA in Johns Creek, GA.
Fern Ingber, President and CEO of America’s ToothFairy, expressed her pride in the applications received from across the U.S., “I cannot wait to see the impact #MySmileMatters has on the nation, and what these grantees do to increase oral health literacy in their own communities. Creating opportunities for youth to lead the conversation on oral health in our nation is an invaluable asset. America’s ToothFairy is committed to growing this effort.”
America’s ToothFairy will continue to seek and provide mini-grant opportunities through its #MySmileMatters program. For more information on this initiative and how you can provide support, contact Shannon Weatherly, National Director of Youth Programs at sweatherly@ncohf.org.
