SANTA'S CASTLE — In a first of its kind summit, American Dental Association (ADA) President Carol Summerhays, D.D.S., traveled from California to meet with Hermey the Elf, D.D.G. in Santa’s Castle to address poor dental health behaviors around the holidays. In a joint press conference following the meeting, Hermey and Dr. Summerhays announced their new campaign, Happy and Healthy Holiday Tips.
Dr. Summerhays and Hermey, well known for his adventures with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, discussed the importance of staying healthy during the holidays, and agreed that an educational campaign could do wonders for Hermey’s friends in the North Pole and beyond. The meeting took place in Santa’s Castle in the morning over a healthy breakfast and lasted through the afternoon, longer than expected.
In 2014, the ADA granted Hermey a D.D.G. (Dental Do Gooder) certificate for his passion for dentistry and devotion to helping others. Since then, Hermey has been working to help families learn about good dental health.
“Hermey’s passion for healthy teeth is unmatched,” said Dr. Summerhays. “We made great progress at our meeting and are very proud to announce our new joint campaign. Happy and Healthy Holiday Tips will educate people on how to stay healthy around the holidays. I look forward to working with Hermey on this project.”
Happy and Healthy Holiday Tips include:
Have a routine. Hermey always brushes his teeth two times a day, for two minutes, and you should too! It’s what keeps your mouth healthy in December and all year long. Make sure to use a fluoride toothpaste that has earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
Choose the carrots. (That means you, Santa!) Cookies and sweets are nice holiday treats, but instead of reaching for another candy cane, take a cue from Rudolph and eat the carrots.
Don’t forget the dentist! The holidays can be a busy time, but that doesn’t mean you can forget about your teeth. If you are due for a teeth cleaning or need work done, don’t forget to visit your dentist in December.
Drink water. You need a lot of energy for holiday activities, but avoid drinking sodas, sports drinks and juices with lots of sugar. Instead, drink water with fluoride in it to keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Protect your teeth. Wear a mouthguard whenever you play sports – or reindeer games – this winter.
For more information on Hermey the Elf, D.D.G, Happy and Healthy Holiday Tips, and all he is doing to help people stay healthy, visitMouthHealthyKids.org/Hermey.
