America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation recently announced seven winners of its 2015-2016 #MySmileMatters mini-grants. The #MySmileMatters Youth Movement is a campaign aimed at mobilizing young people to solve the problems they face, specifically the issue of pediatric dental disease. This effort was designed to spark the development of local oral health projects through the #MySmileMatters National Youth Engagement Plan, while allowing young people to incorporate their own creative approaches.
This mini-grant recognizes the efforts of youth-focused groups and their adult allies across the United States who are working to raise the topics and conversation on children’s oral health. By providing mini-grants, America’s ToothFairy seeks to grow the #MySmileMatters Youth Movement at the local level and allow young people to become the voice of the importance of oral health literacy and access to oral healthcare for children.
The two $3,000 winners are Southwest High School HOSA of El Centro, Calif, and Rolla Technical Center HOSA of Rolla, Mo. The two $1,000 winners are the Health & Wellness Club at Lawrenceburg High School in Lawrenceburg, Ind, and the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, Wis. The three $250 winners are the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford (Conn), Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion & Polk Counties (Ore), and Chattahoochee High School HOSA in Johns Creek, Ga.
Talking about the applications received from across the United States, Fern Ingber, president and CEO of America’s ToothFairy, said, “I cannot wait to see the impact #MySmileMatters has on the nation, and what these grantees do to increase oral health literacy in their own communities. Creating opportunities for youth to lead the conversation on oral health in our nation is an invaluable asset. America’s ToothFairy is committed to growing this effort.”
America’s ToothFairy will continue to seek and provide mini-grant opportunities through its #MySmileMatters program.
