Tooth Fairy visits Moses Lake schools

MOSES LAKE — Some Moses Lake schoolchildren recently got a lesson in dental care from the world’s foremost authority: the Tooth Fairy.

“(Presenters) dress up like the Tooth Fairy and come in and explain oral hygiene and read a story to kids,” said Stephanie Bannon, the school nurse at Sage Point and Peninsula elementary schools. “They provide oral hygiene kits for all the students kindergarten through second grade.”

The program, called “The Tooth Fairy Experience,” is a service of Delta Dental to improve children’s dental health, according to an announcement from Delta. The kits included a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss and a two-minute timer to help children remember how long to brush for, according to the announcement.

“‘The Tooth Fairy Experience’ is a great way to get children excited about taking care of their oral health,” Nadia M. Fugate, DMD, Delta Dental of Washington’s Associate Dental Director, wrote in the announcement. “(The presentations) help children learn how often to brush their teeth, how to properly floss, and that visiting the dentist isn’t scary. Children also learn how to make healthy food and beverage choices on their own, giving them a sense of ownership over their health.”

“(The Tooth Fairy) went over oral health,” Bannon said. “They asked kids, what are safe foods with less sugar? (And) then they did a visual, measuring out how much sugar is in a soda and how much is in a (sports drink). They actually put scoops of sugar in a jar so the kids could see it.”

The presentation went beyond good eating habits, Bannon said.

“They discussed the foods that are healthy for teeth, (and also) what their teeth are used for,” Bannon said. “They help with talking, they help with smiling. There’s more than just chewing our food and not having cavities.”

Bannon began using “The Tooth Fairy Experience” several years ago when she was at North Elementary, she said, and last year brought it to Sage Point and Peninsula. This year the presentation went to six Moses Lake elementary schools: Lakeview Terrace, Sage Point, Peninsula, Larson Heights, North, and Midway.

Children who experience tooth decay are more likely to miss school, have lower academic success and have an increased risk for lifelong dental problems, according to Delta Dental, as well as being at risk for other health issues later on.

The presentation from Delta is provided at no charge for the school, according to the announcement.

“(The children) absolutely love it,” Bannon said. “They’re smiling from the moment they walk into the gym to the moment they leave.”