Bradley, IL – More than 180 elementary students in Kankakee County learned how to keep their teeth healthy this week as Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation’s Land of Smiles® program visited two local schools. The free interactive show stopped at Bishop McNamara Catholic School – Bradley and Lorenzo R Smith Elementary, teaching pre-kindergarten through third grade students the importance of brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.
According to Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, Land of Smiles uses colorful characters—Captain Super Grin, Terri Tooth Fairy, Toothpick, and their mischievous rival Caz Cavity—to make oral health education engaging and fun. Each student received a free dental care kit including a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, along with easy tips for keeping cavities away.
The Foundation said the program aims to combat a growing health issue: nearly one in four Illinois third graders have untreated tooth decay, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
This fall alone, Land of Smiles is visiting 110 Illinois schools and reaching more than 25,600 students. Since its launch 16 years ago, the initiative has reached over 623,000 children at more than 1,000 schools statewide.
The Land of Smiles program reflects Delta Dental’s long-term commitment to improving children’s oral health and building lifelong habits for healthy smiles.
