Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

Tooth Wizard vs. PlaqueMan

‘Land of Smiles’ production teaches students healthy dental habits

Emily Jarrett, Journal Staff

The Tooth Wizard was on a roll, teaching nearly 300 kindergarten through third grade students the proper way to brush their teeth.

“We want to make sure we get all that icky, sticky, slimy, grimy stuff from off our teeth,” he told them. But just at that moment, the Tooth Wizard’s arch nemesis – PlaqueMan – appeared.

“Boo,” yelled the students in unison.

Just another day in the “Land of Smiles,” a production for students put on by Delta Dental to help them learn good oral hygiene habits. On Wednesday, students at Chapel Lakes Elementary, watched as the Tooth Wizard took on PlaqueMan and won.

“It was very cool and funny,” said Jeremiah Iles, 7. “Especially when they brought out the huge toothbrush and the Tooth Wizard started brushing PlaqueMan.”

“One of the best things about this show is how excited the kids get,” said John Schultz, who plays the Tooth Wizard. “And the way it’s presented, the kids laugh a lot and have fun watching us run around, but they’re learning too.”

Delta Dental is one of the largest dental benefits providers in the country, serving more than 54 million families. The “Land of Smiles” program is provided at no cost to participating schools to encourage good dental habits.

“Delta Dental is very focused on health awareness, particularly in kids,” said Cliff Turner, who plays PlaqueMan. “Every year we put on 300 shows between January and May.”

During the Land of Smiles performance, students get to interact with the Tooth Wizard as he shows them the proper way to brush their teeth – in small circles, not up and down – floss, use mouthwash and to always remember to brush their tongue.

“Obviously, you can’t learn everything there is to know about dental hygiene in a half hour,” Turner said. “But the kids are having so much fun they don’t realize they’re learning. And what’s better is that they’re excited about it – when we’re excited and acting silly, so are they.”

“A lot of times the kids already know good dental hygiene,” Schultz added. “And the way the show is presented, the kids are really telling me what to do to defeat PlaqueMan.”

Seven-year-old Olivia Hailey said she already knew a lot of what the Tooth Wizard was telling the audience. “I knew most of it, but I learned some things too,” she said. “Like going to the dentist two times a year and flossing. I thought the show was really funny though.”

“I think my favorite part of the show was when they were flossing the teeth,” said Brett Vaughn, 8. “My favorite character was the Tooth Wizard because he was teaching us how to brush our teeth.”

Turner said he enjoys watching the students get excited about the show, particularly at the end, when he and Schultz lead them in a chant of “brush your teeth.”

“It’s great because kids this age are still so excited by little things,” he said. “I can run around and act silly, while giving them a lesson, and they’re really learning from it.”

“The whole show was really funny,” said Adam Connors, 9. “I hope I get to see them again really soon.”

To reach Journal reporter Emily Jarrett, call 816-282-7018 or e-mail ejarrett@bluespringsjournal.com.