Elementary students get free dental-health kits

First-graders at Adam Elementary and Millsap Elementary recently received free prevent-tooth-decay kits through the Fantastic Teeth Fan Club.

The kits contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, healthy teeth sticker and a two-minute timer to let kids know when the recommended brushing time is finished, according to a news release. The kits also contain dental health information for parents — in Spanish and English.

The goal is to cut down on children suffering from toothaches, reduce missed school days due to dental problems, and try to avoid costly dental treatment, according to the release.

Citing a report by the U.S. Surgeon General's Office, the release states tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease — five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.

According to the release, poor children are particularly at risk of dental health problems, with nearly 12 times more restricted-activity days due to dental problems than children from higher-income families.

Those restricted days can be reflected in school performance, according to the release, as teachers have reported behavior and academic problems resulting from children in need of dental care. Pain caused by untreated dental problems can also lead to difficulty eating and speaking for children.

Masonic Home and School of Texas, which provided the kits, is a non-profit organization that has worked to help children in Texas for more than 100 years, according to the release.

For more information, call 877-203-9111 or visit www.mhstx.org.