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Colgate, SDA Dental Clinic launch tooth decay prevention program
SDA Dental Clinic director Kenneth D. Pierson, middle left, poses with Garapan Elementary School vice principal of Derwin Johnson, middle right, during the turnover of new oral kits last Friday at the SDA Dental Clinic along Quartermaster Road. (Contributed Photo)
Saipan Seventh Day Adventist Dental Clinic teamed up with Colgate to install “Bright Smiles Bright Futures” program in elementary schools. The program increases awareness of tooth decay and reinforces the message of good hygiene and saving one’s teeth. The official meeting and handout of oral kits was held last Friday.
SDA clinic director Kenneth D. Pierson said, “It’s an initiative started by Colgate called ‘Bright Smiles Bright Futures’ and Micronesian Brokers, Inc. as a distributor for Colgate so we want to thank them for bringing all these kits here. Our part is to just let these kits get into the hands of who they are intended for.”
Pierson explained that the program actually targets a much younger audience. Children in pre-school, kinder, first grade, and second grade, are the students he hopes to obtain the most benefit out of the “Bright Smiles Bright Futures” program.
To clarify which students are going to receive the oral kits, Pierson said, “When we calculate the numbers [of students who received kits] let’s include Tinian and Rota too. Let’s make sure these kids receive a kit as well.”
Inside the kits were toothbrushes, toothpaste, a parental guide for each student, a teacher lesson-planning guide, and a DVD of a cartoon promoting good oral hygiene.
Official representative of the Public School System and Garapan Elementary School vice principal Derwin Johnson also made his remarks on the issue.
Johnson said, “On behalf of PSS, we really appreciate the kits and we look forward to educating our children and extending the message of the program ‘Bright Smiles Bright Futures.’”
The program aims to reach ten thousand children in 2016. Moreover, Colgate will dedicate 20 cents from each of their Colgate products being sold in stores throughout Saipan this month to fund the oral health school program.
Colgate would also like to acknowledge Micronesian Brokers s well as Dr. Warren Creed and his team at the Saipan SDA Dental Clinic for their support and looks forward to a long-term partnership promoting good oral health for the children of Saipan. (Michael T. Santos)
