NCOHF Tooth Fairy fund raising drawing winners

This article was prepared by members of the National Children's Oral Health Foundation staff

We would like to congratulate our Trick or Treat for America’s Toothfairy drawing winners: Sue Roe, RDH, Jill Watson, RDH, and Beth Acury, RDH. The funds they raised will go directly to nonprofit oral health-care programs providing vital oral health education and services for children of our most vulnerable populations.

While attending RDH Under One Roof in Chicago earlier this year, Sue Roe, RDH, and Jill Watson, RDH, each winners of a pair of Orascoptic loupes, learned about Trick or Treat for America’s Toothfairy and were compelled to get involved in the campaign. Sponsored by the Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and Patterson Dental Supply, Trick or Treat for America’s Toothfairy is a national fundraising campaign of National Children's Oral Health Foundation: America's Toothfairy (NCOHF).

As a dental hygienist for the past 10 years, Sue witnessed great need for oral health services for the underserved in the Detroit area and was thrilled with the opportunity to help give children the healthy smiles they deserve through Trick or Treat for America’s Toothfairy.

She placed the collection box in her dental office, informing patients, friends, and family about the campaign, raising funds as well as making a personal donation. “Trick or Treat for America’s Toothfairy was an easy, fun way to help provide quality oral health care and services to children who need it most,” remarked Sue about her campaign efforts.

Jill Watson, RDH

What Jill Watson, RDH, a dental hygienist for over five years, enjoys most about her work is making people smile. She strives to make sure that her patients have a great experience at the dentist office and transforming a patient's apprehension about coming to the dentist into a bright, healthy smile. However, her smile-saving efforts don’t end there. Each year for Children’s Dental Health Month, she dresses up as the Toothfairy and visits pre-schools — promoting good oral health habits for young children. She also collects, organizes, and uses coupons to provide toothbrushes and other oral health-care products for underserved children in her community.

“Many people just don’t realize the tragic effects poor oral health can have on children. Trick or Treat for America’s Toothfairy is a great way to raise funds to provide services for children in need and awareness of the importance of oral health,” remarked Jill in a recent interview. Next year, she plans to dress up as the Toothfairy and go trick or treating in her neighborhood.

When we asked Beth Acury, RDH, why she participated in the campaign, she said, “As a dental hygienist for over 36 years, I have seen too many children that suffer from extreme decay and gum disease with no access to care or no insurance. I want to be someone who can make a difference in the lives of these children. Trick or Treat for America’s Toothfairy is a wonderful campaign to help ensure these children get the care they need.”

Beth was the lucky winner of a deluxe basket of personal care items from Johnson & Johnson. She is the dental hygienist for the Northampton Area School District in Pennsylvania, providing oral health care and education to over 6,000 students! She also maintains a dental clinic where she provides dental cleanings and engages the help of other dental professionals and specialists to provide more comprehensives services to children in need.

Beth encouraged school faculty and staff by having a “Casual for a Cause” day. Faculty members made a donation and in return, they were able to wear jeans on a designated Friday. Once she received approval from the superintendent and principals in her school district, she ordered Trick or Treat for America’s Toothfairy kits from Patterson Dental and set them up in the faculty rooms of each building. She posted flyers and information about the campaign in the school newsletters. So far, she raised over $700 and donations from her fundraising efforts are still coming in!

NCOHF corporate supporters underwrite all program expenses allowing 100% of every dollar collected through Trick or Treat for America’s Toothfairy to go directly to nonprofit oral healthcare programs providing vital oral health education and services for children of our most vulnerable populations.

Fern Ingber, President & CEO noted, “Trick or Treat for America’s Toothfairy is more than just a fundraising campaign; it is a campaign to educate the American public about the importance of oral health and the true urgency of our cause. We are grateful to our corporate and media partners for their support and all who participated in this campaign to help turn children’s needless pain and suffering into healthy smiles and hope for a brighter future.”

Join Sue, Jill, and Beth next year by raising awareness of our nation's #1 chronic childhood illness and critical funds for nonprofits providing comprehensive care and improving the overall oral health literacy of your community through Trick or Treat for America's Toothfairy!

For more information about National Children’s Oral Health Foundation: America’s Toothfairy and Trick or Treat for America’s Toothfairy, visit www.AmericasToothfairy.org.