| Article |
July 4-10, 2007
The Globe Newspapers Vol 4, Issue 16
Alameda Alliance introduces "Mr. Tooth"
Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance), a not-for-profit health plan that provides health care coverage to nearly 90,000 Alameda County residents, has formally introduced “Mr. Tooth,” a kid-friendly mascot that is a key component of the Alliance’s new community-based dental health outreach program called Smart Smiles.
“Mr. Tooth” has appeared at close to a dozen schools and community events in Alameda County, and is scheduled to visit several more in the coming months. During his visits, “Mr. Tooth” entertains kids while he helps them and their parents better understand the importance of early dental care. “Mr. Tooth” and the Smart Smiles program also help parents find local, affordable dental care services for their children up to 19 years of age.
“We know that many things influence a child’s progress and success in school, including good health,” said Ingrid Lamirault, CEO for Alliance. “Children must be healthy to learn, and children with poor oral health are not healthy. We’re committed to outreach programs like Smart Smiles because they have a positive impact in the community and because they are vital to the Alliance’s mission of serving Alameda County residents of all ages.”
Smart Smiles was created specifically to help parents comply with a new state law requiring their children to have a dental checkup – performed by a licensed dentist or registered dental health professional – by May 31 of their first year of enrollment in public kindergarten or first grade.
This new legislation, AB 1433, was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger on Sept. 22, 2006, and became effective on Jan. 1, 2007. Smart Smiles is the first of several health-related programs that will be part of the Alliance’s Kids Health Matters series.
“Students miss more than 51 million school hours per year because of dental-related problems,” said Clara Tarango, principal for Bridges Academy at Melrose in Oakland. “I believe that community-based programs – like the Alliance’s Smart Smiles – can really make a difference in our schools. “Mr. Tooth” is very entertaining and seems to delight as well as educate the kids in his audience.”
For more information on scheduling “Mr. Tooth” for a school or community event, please call Amanda Flores-Witte at the Alliance at 510-747-4555, extension 4005.