America's Toothfairy, Regal Entertainment Group sponsor toothbrush-toothpaste drive

    Jan. 15, 2010
    Drive encourages patrons to become real-life tooth fairies for underserved children.

    CHARLOTTE, North Carolina--Regal Entertainment Group has partnered with National Children's Oral Health Foundation: America's Toothfairy to sponsor an America's Toothfairy Toothbrush and Toothpaste Drive.

    The drive will coincide with the release of the 20th Century Fox film, Tooth Fairy, in theaters Jan. 22, 2010. The drive takes place from Jan. 22 until Feb. 12, 2010, at select REG theaters to benefit the national NCOHF affiliate network of nonprofit health facilities for underserved children.

    Along with donating oral hygiene products, theater patrons can become a real life tooth fairy and help a child in need receive critical oral health care through the NCOHF Adopt the Care of a Child program.

    In the movie, Dwayne Johnson is "The Tooth Fairy," also known as Derek Thompson. Derek is a hard-charging minor league hockey player whose nickname comes from his habit of separating opposing players from their bicuspids.

    When Derek discourages a youngster's hopes, he's sentenced to one week's hard labor as a real tooth fairy--complete with the requisite tutu, wings and magic wand.

    At first, Derek "can't handle the tooth," bumbling and stumbling as he tries to furtively wing his way through strangers' homes. But as Derek slowly adapts to his new position, he begins to rediscover his own forgotten dreams.

    NCOHF was founded in 2006 with a mission to eliminate pediatric dental disease, referred to as "a silent epidemic" by the U.S. Surgeon General.

    The No. 1 chronic childhood illness in America, more than four million children suffer from pediatric dental disease and accompanying pain so severe it impacts their ability to eat, sleep, and learn.

    Left untreated, it can lead to chronic health risks such as diabetes, heart disease, and potentially fatal bacterial infections such as the one that took the life of 12-year old Deamonte Driver in 2007.

    "Pediatric dental disease is America's most common chronic childhood illness, yet few families are aware of the devastating effects that poor oral health can have on a child's long term systemic health and ability to thrive," said Fern Ingber, NCOHF president and CEO.

    "We are grateful that Regal Entertainment Group is shedding light on this preventable disease and directing support to NCOHF affiliates that provide critical care for underserved children in communities across the country."

    In less than four years, NCOHF has already touched the lives of more than one million underserved children and distributed more than $5 million in support to affiliates nationwide.

    Using a comprehensive approach focused on education and prevention, NCOHF affiliates work to break the cycle of preventable pediatric dental disease and ensure that children have access to quality oral health care.

    All toothbrushes and toothpaste collected at area REG theaters from Jan. 22 until Feb. 12 will be distributed nationwide for affiliate oral health services and programs for at-risk children.

    America's Toothfairy donation cards will also be displayed throughout participating theaters to give patrons the opportunity to Adopt the Care of a Child in critical need of services.

    For more information on NCOHF's Adopt the Care of a Child program, visit National Children's Oral Health Foundation.

    To read more about the National Children's Oral Health Foundation, go to National Children's Oral Health Foundation.

    To comment on this topic, go to PennWell Dental Community site.