Traveling Bookbag On Its Way To You!

"Teeth-on-the-Go," - a fun, "free" Rhode Island-based dental health program - is on its way to a kindergarten through second-grade classroom near you. Beginning in the fall of 2006, Delta Dental will begin a two-year initiative to distribute a "Teeth-on-the-Go" bookbag to every school system in the state of Rhode Island. For more information, contact your local school department or email us at: teeth@deltadentalri.com

Featuring, video and audio tapes, a giant mouth, and of course, books, "Teeth-on-the-Go" shows you how to have healthy teeth and gums, including:

• the importance of teeth to a child's overall health
• the impact of nutrition on teeth
• proper oral hygiene and toothbrushing techniques

Based on statewide curriculum requirements, "Teeth-on-the-Go" incorporates a variety of learning tools, including a 12-minute video, a "brush-along" audiocassette tape, books, and a bigger (3x) than life-size tooth model and toothbrush to demonstrate proper brushing techniques.

Also included in the bookbag is a Teacher's Guide that outlines a five-day lesson plan, along with daily activities (15 to 20 minutes per day.) Teachers can follow the suggested lesson plan, or adapt the bookbag materials according to their classroom needs. Students who successfully complete the "Teeth-on-the-Go" program earn healthy smile certificates.

The program also reaches out to parents, encouraging them to take an active role in their child's oral health by tracking his/her toothbrushing habits for a week.

For a list of fun books about teeth, click here.