Boy and Girl Scouts across the nation can now become oral health superheroes thanks to America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) and DentaQuest. A generous donation from DentaQuest, a purpose-driven national industry leader working to improve the oral health of all, will allow 2,000 Scouts to participate in the America’s ToothFairy Scout Patch Program and receive a “Real Life Superhero” Scout Patch at no cost for their oral health outreach efforts.
Launched in 2013, the America’s ToothFairy Scout Patch Program educates Boy and Girl Scouts about the importance of dental health to overall health and encourages them to promote positive oral health behaviors in their communities.
Through the Scout Patch Program, Scouts choose three oral-health related activities from a list of projects focused on changing beliefs, changing behaviors and changing the environment of children’s oral health. Once the activities are completed and a brief report submitted, Scouts will receive their “Real Life Superhero” patch. Examples of smile-saving oral health activities include:
• Holding a Smile Drive to collect oral care products for children in need.
• Providing a dental health presentation at a local health fair.
• Visiting a dental office to learn how dentists and dental hygienists help patients maintain good oral health.
• Presenting dental health educational lessons to younger Scouts.
• Conducting healthy food or water demonstrations.
• Planting a Smile Garden.
“America’s ToothFairy is proud of the thousands of hardworking Scouts participating in our Scout Patch Program,” said Jill Malmgren, Executive Director of America’s ToothFairy. “It is our hope that these projects will build important leadership skills and encourage healthy behaviors among children and youth. We are happy to call these Scouts true oral health superheroes for protecting and saving the smiles of children in their communities.”
“Relationships like this one with the Scouts program align directly with our focus on positive, lasting health changes at the community level,” said Steve Pollock, President and CEO of DentaQuest. “The earlier children adopt preventive habits and an interest and awareness in oral health, the better chance our communities have for a healthy future overall. We are proud to help recognize the powerful work of these superheroes.”
Since the program began, America’s ToothFairy has awarded more than 25,000 Real Life Superhero patches to Scouts across the country.
This is the second year of funding from DentaQuest for the Scout Patch Program. Currently, 2,000 Scout patches are available at no cost while supplies last. Interested Scout Troops can learn more at www.ncohf.org/scout-patch.
