About the Show
Delta Dental’s Land of Smiles program is an engaging and educational experience designed specifically for children in kindergarten through third grade. The show aims to teach young audiences about the importance of good oral health practices in a way that is exciting, interactive, and easy to understand.
This free program, sponsored by Delta Dental’s Foundation, brings essential oral health education directly into the classroom, making it accessible to schools across New Jersey and Connecticut. By combining lively characters, catchy songs, and various interactive elements, Land of Smiles ensures that students learn valuable and memorable lessons to keep themselves and their teeth healthy.
Throughout the program, kids are taught important lessons such as brushing and flossing, making healthy food choices for strong teeth, and how important regular dentist visits are. The Land of Smiles show is designed to be fun and educational, so kids will walk away with better knowledge of how to care for their teeth while remembering the fun and lively characters they encountered. The show’s blend of humor and education ensures that children (and teachers!) absorb these important lessons and are motivated to practice good oral health habits in their everyday lives.
Who Are Our Actors?
After watching the Land of Smiles show, it’s hard for kids not to have the catchy “Brush and floss, twice a day!” chant stuck in their heads. The show’s interactive elements leave a lasting impression on the children, ensuring they carry these valuable lessons with them. The engaging characters and fun dialogue keep kids excited to participate, and the talented actors from the National Theater for Children bring it all to life.
The actors are true professionals, skilled at improvising and adapting to the energy of the audience. They know how to keep the kids laughing, shouting answers, and fully involved in every aspect of the performance. Through their dynamic performances, the actors ensure that the children remain engaged throughout the entire show.
By making the experience highly interactive, the actors help kids feel like they’re part of the action, and they make learning about oral health an exciting, hands-on experience. The combination of humor, enthusiasm, and the ability to improvise creates an environment that allows kids to connect with the characters and, more importantly, with the lessons they are being taught.
What Does the Show Teach?
The show begins by introducing the children to the magical world of the Land of Smiles, where they meet the characters who will guide them through their oral health adventure.
Captain Super Grin, the cheerful and courageous superhero, is the star of the show. As a defender of healthy teeth, Captain Super Grin teaches kids how to brush their teeth properly. He uses a gigantic model of a mouth and a toothbrush to demonstrate the best brushing techniques, showing children the proper motions and how long to brush to keep their teeth clean and strong. This larger-than-life demonstration makes it easy for young kids to grasp the concept of brushing and helps them remember the importance of brushing every day.
Terry the Tooth Fairy teaches about the parts of a tooth from the enamel to the pulp and about what tooth emergencies can happen if you don’t take care of them.
As the show progresses, Captain Super Grin faces off against Caz Cavity, the villainous character who loves to spread cavities and bad dental habits. In a clever twist, Captain Super Grin tricks Caz Cavity into teaching the audience how to floss their teeth using an enormous piece of dental floss. This segment ensures that children understand how to properly floss while making it a fun and memorable experience. The larger-than-life props and the interaction with the children keep the show lively and ensure that the key message of flossing is easily understood.
In one of the most exciting moments of the show, Captain Super Grin demonstrates the power of mouthwash by pouring a giant bucket of mouthwash onto Caz Cavity, defeating the bacteria that cause cavities. This dramatic moment emphasizes the importance of using mouthwash as part of a complete oral hygiene routine.
The children in the audience are actively encouraged to repeat after Captain Super Grin as he chants, “Brush and floss, twice a day!” The repetition of this catchy phrase is what defeats Caz Cavity and ensures no child forgets to take care of their teeth.
The Key Takeaways from the Show
By the time the Land of Smiles program wraps up, the students have learned a wealth of important information about oral health. They understand the correct techniques for brushing and flossing their teeth, making sure that they know how to care for their teeth properly at home. Additionally, the children learn about the best foods to eat for healthy teeth, which helps them make better food choices in the future. The program also stresses the importance of regular dentist visits, teaching kids that visiting the dentist isn’t something to be afraid of, but rather an essential part of keeping their teeth in top condition.
More than just a fun show, the Land of Smiles program helps kids form healthy habits that will last a lifetime. The fun characters, catchy songs, and interactive elements of the program make it an enjoyable learning experience, while also imparting essential knowledge that children will carry with them as they grow.
Ultimately, the key message of the show is simple but powerful: good oral hygiene practices, like brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist, are the best ways to keep your smile bright and healthy.
Are you a teacher, school nurse, or school administrator interested in learning more or scheduling a show? Visit landofsmilesnj.com. This show is available for New Jersey and Connecticut schools with K-third grades.
