Lexington County Launches Land of Smiles® Program to Promote Dental Health Among Children

Lexington County Cheers for Healthy Smiles!

Lexington County, SC – This fall, the beloved Land of Smiles® dental education program from Delta Dental of South Carolina is hitting the road to spread joy and knowledge about keeping our teeth healthy! With a lineup of lively superhero characters, the program is gearing up to educate over 8,500 children across 30 schools in the state, bringing smiles and important lessons about dental hygiene along the way.

Fun Meets Education in Gilbert, West Columbia, and Columbia

Recently, the program made a splash during its visit to Gilbert Elementary School in Gilbert, Congaree Elementary School in West Columbia, and Seven Oaks Elementary School in Columbia, where it engaged a total of 950 enthusiastic students in kindergarten through third grade.

The star of the show, Captain Super Grin®, leads the children on a heroic adventure as he battles the villain Caz CavitySM, aided by his trusty companions Terri Tooth FairySM and ToothpickSM. Together, they guide kids through the fundamentals of good dental health—including the importance of brushing twice daily, flossing, using mouthwash, eating healthy foods, and scheduling regular dental visits.

A Comprehensive Learning Experience

The Land of Smiles® program follows a curriculum that aligns with the National Health Education Standards and South Carolina guidelines. With materials available in both English and Spanish, the program captures the attention of young minds and delivers valuable lessons in an entertaining way.

Additionally, participating students receive free “smile bags” filled with dental goodies, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. These goodies are perfect for students to practice what they’ve learned about maintaining healthy smiles!

Empowering Future Generations

Stacy Harris, the supervisor of community outreach at Delta Dental of South Carolina, shared her enthusiasm for the program, stating, “Our engaging Land of Smiles show is a favorite for kids, teachers, and parents alike. It encourages children to develop good dental habits at a young age that will help them have healthy, glowing smiles for life.”

Recent surveys taken before and after the performance showed impressive results: students exhibited an average 34% increase in their knowledge and implementation of good oral health habits!

Reaching Out to the Community

Since its inception back in the fall of 2014, the Land of Smiles® program has successfully educated over 340,000 children across more than 1,200 performances—both onsite and virtual—at schools in a whopping 44 South Carolina counties. It’s important to note that over 60% of schools participating have at least 70% of their students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program, showing a true commitment to community health.

The great news? This engaging, educational experience doesn’t cost schools a penny, thanks to the generosity of Delta Dental of South Carolina!

Join the Fun!

If you’re a local teacher, school nurse, or principal hoping to get in on the magic of the Land of Smiles® adventure, you can reach out to Schools@NationalTheatre.com to request a live show. Alternatively, for those who prefer a flexible schedule, you can access the online program any time that works best for your students!

Let’s celebrate this wonderful initiative that not only brings smiles but also important health education to our children. Lexington County is buzzing with excitement, and we can’t wait to see all those shiny, happy smiles!