DELTA DENTAL SENDS CAPTAIN SUPERTOOTH ON STATEWIDE 
TOUR TO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT ORAL HEALTH AND PREVENTION

PARSIPPANY, NJ (February 2001) — In commemoration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, the popular Captain Supertooth, the Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation, Inc. super hero of dental hygiene - will visit area school children to promote the importance of early preventive dental care and teach them proper oral care. The Captain Supertooth program is part of Delta Dental’s ongoing initiative to spread the word that oral health is vital for good overall health. 

In the Surgeon General’s report on Oral Health, poor children were identified as having twice as much tooth decay as other children. One of the barriers to good oral health in certain “underserved” populations has been access to information on oral care. Delta Dental is addressing this need through Captain Supertooth, a hero that appeals to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds and makes learning about good dental habits interesting and fun. 

Captain Supertooth visits schools armed with a larger-than-life-sized toothbrush and other fun props. During the program, the Captain shares helpful “teeth” tips, such as using toothpaste in a “pea-sized” amount on a soft-bristled toothbrush, remembering “don’t rush when you brush” by brushing for at least one minute, eating a balanced diet, and visiting their dentist for regular check-ups. 

Dental Health and “Baby Teeth”
“Decay can occur as soon as a child’s first tooth appears,” reports Dr. Scott Navarro, Dental Director, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey. “Therefore, it’s imperative that children learn how to brush and floss properly at a very early age.”

Some parents may question the importance of caring for baby teeth, since they will eventually fall out. According to Dr. Navarro, severe decay be painful and can 
sometimes cause teeth to fall out. When a baby tooth is lost to decay, it is no longer holding the space in the jaw for the permanent tooth. This can affect chewing, speaking and appearance. 

The emotional trauma caused by tooth loss can cause psychological effects that undermine a child’s ability to socialize normally and perform well in school. Dental health also impacts absenteeism. Each year, 51 million school hours are lost due to dental disease.

This year Captain Supertooth will visit a total of 30 schools throughout the state of New Jersey. For more information or to receive a free dental health care poster featuring Captain Supertooth, call Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., at (973) 285-4059.

The Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation, Inc. is funded by Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc.

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s leading and largest dental benefits carrier, providing coverage to more than one million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut. The Delta Dental Plan system is a national network of independently operated, not-for-profit dental service corporations specializing in providing dental benefits programs for employee groups throughout the country.