Photo courtesy of Delta Dental
Children’s Museum of Phoenix and Delta Dental of Arizona have partnered to bring oral health programming to the museum for the month of February – National Children’s Dental Health Month. This marks the 15th consecutive year that the museum and Delta Dental of Arizona have joined forces to provide oral health education programs to museum visitors. The museum will host interactive activities, shows, and educational information all related to the mouth, teeth, and oral health all month long. Thanks to Delta Dental of Arizona, oral health programming and activities are free with paid museum admission. Children under the age of 1 are free, as are members of the Children’s Museum of Phoenix.
“Since its inception, this program has provided more than half a million children as well as their families and caregivers with proper oral hygiene education and dental supplies. Tooth decay is the number one chronic disease among children, but it is nearly 100% preventable. Through this program, together with the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, we are empowering children and adults alike with knowledge that can keep them healthy throughout their lives,” says Barb Kozuh, executive director of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation.
Featured programs, each of which will be presented on select days throughout the month, include:
• The Great Arizona Puppet Theater: Back again this year, the theater will be performing several fun oral health-themed puppet shows, each tailored to a specific age range and development level.
• The Great Flossini Presents “The Totally Tooth-Ular Magic Show:” Audience members become a part of the show with highly interactive magic routines designed specifically to reinforce the importance of brushing, flossing, eating healthy foods, and visiting the dentist regularly.
• From First Tooth to Loose Tooth: Q&A sessions with dental students from A.T. Still University. This program invites parents to ask questions about anything from thumb-sucking to the best time to take your baby to the dentist.
In addition to these featured programs, daily hands-on activities range from art projects to teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques, crafts to create tooth-saver necklaces, educational opportunities in the KIDchen and The Children’s Garden to learn about the healthy foods you can eat that help your teeth stay healthy, plus cool programs about the teeth of various animals. Back by popular demand are “Smile Bags” containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and fun facts about dental health. These free giveaways will be available daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to all visitors throughout the month, including for field trip visitors.
For a full schedule of activities and featured programming at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix throughout the month of February, please visit www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/events.
