Two dental hygienists collaborate to bring fun and education to children in cancer treatment
Two dental hygienists from opposite ends of the US, Carrie Wucinich, RDH, and Jill Meyer-Lippert, RDH, have joined forces to help children with cancer. Now they invite other dental professionals to join them in making a difference.
Based in Nevada, Wucinich is the author of Where the Sugar Bugs Live, a motivational children’s book that educates families on the importance of oral hygiene. The book provides children with the visual they need to understand the importance of taking care of their teeth, and a percentage of the book sales is dedicated to supporting pediatric cancer patients and their families. Meyer-Lippert is based in Wisconsin and is the founder of Side Effect Support, an online resource for cancer patients, family caregivers, and healthcare providers to reduce the harmful oral side effects of cancer treatments.
Their first collaboration involved the creation of a pediatric informational brochure that includes Sugar Bug artwork. The “Cancer Treatments & Oral Health” brochure is available to print in English or Spanish from the Side Effect Support RESOURCES tabs.
Their combined passion for helping children with cancer has now expanded with the creation of Sugar Bug Fun Bundles. The bundles provide children in treatment with a 50-page Where the Sugar Bugs Live Coloring & Activity Workbook, Crayola Crayons, and oral health products and information. According to Meyer-Lippert, “A focus on oral health and oral hygiene during the cancer treatment process can reduce pain and infection risks while positively impacting long-term physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.”
Wucinich adds, “Bringing some light and fun into such a tough time has always been one of my goals. Being a mom myself, I can’t imagine how tough it is for the kids to sit in a hospital bed around the clock. The Sugar Bug Activity Book gives them the opportunity to take their minds off of cancer and learn a thing or two about dental health.”
Dental professionals are now invited to help provide complimentary Sugar Bug Fun Bundles to children in treatment through sponsorships. Bundles can be sponsored by individuals, businesses, or nonprofit organizations.
To sponsor a Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Sugar Bug Fun Bundle visit
To sponsor Sugar Bug Fun Bundles for children in your area, please contact Jill Meyer-Lippert at Jill@SideEffectSupport.com or Carrie Wucinich at wherethesugarbugslive@hotmail.com to learn more.
Keep up with Wucinich and Meyer-Lippert by following them on social media outlets @Where_the_sugar_bugs_live and @SideEffectSupportLLC.
