Oral health education and preventive dental services help support healthy habits, decay prevention, and long lasting changes that improve overall health. We believe the keys to good oral health are:

• Age specific preventive messages for participants. 
• Involvement of strong role models (teachers, school nurses and local dental professionals) to help deliver oral health messaging. 
• Parents as partners in oral health prevention.
• Regular dental visits that include preventive services, nutritional guidance and oral hygiene education.

Our Smile Saver Container Program is staffed by Dental Hygienists who work directly with school nurses to educate, inform, and bring awareness to the importance of oral health. They supply the school nurses with oral health education resources such as dental clinic referrals and toothbrushes. Our free program also provides oral health classes in person or virtually.

Program Components

The program name developed from the actual “Smile Saver Containers” that we provide to the schools at no charge. These containers contain an oral health curriculum that may be used by the school to provide oral health education. These containers include: 

• Onsite nurse consultations
• Participation in school health fair, parent meetings, and career days
• Providing toothbrushes to the school
• Promotion of school-wide oral health education presentations

In addition to the invaluable Smile Saver Containers, participating schools receive:

• Toothbrushes
• Tooth Saver Necklaces
• Oral health education for the entire school by HCPH Dental Hygienists