CHARLOTTE, N.C. —  This February, in celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation invites community participation in a national smile-saving campaign. The America’s ToothFairy Smile Drive activates volunteers across the country to promote the importance of oral health and collect toothbrushes, toothpaste and other oral care products for underserved children.
America’s ToothFairy launched its first Smile Drive in 2014, and since then has collected more than 660,000 oral care products for children nationwide. Last year, Smile Drives were held at dental practices, companies, schools, pharmacies, community centers and more, with all donations benefiting underserved children.
Though the Smile Drive is a national campaign, local impact is a key component. Participants select a local non-profit organization of their choice to receive their donations and personally deliver them to children in their community. Past Smile Drive recipients include local shelters, food banks, Boys and Girls Clubs, clinics and other youth-serving organizations.
Anyone interested in participating in the Smile Drive should complete a brief online registration form that will grant access to a free Smile Drive Toolkit with downloadable flyers, templates and other tools for promotion. All Smile Drive participants will be recognized in the National Smile Drive Directory.
“We are very grateful for the many caring companies and volunteers who have made a strong commitment to the health of children in their community,” said Fern Ingber, America’s ToothFairy president and CEO. “By participating in the Smile Drive, these generous partners not only provide at-risk children the tools they need to prevent pediatric dental disease, they help raise awareness of the vital importance of oral health and its connection to overall health.”
Though it is nearly 100 percent preventable, pediatric dental disease is the most prevalent chronic illness affecting children in the U.S. Dental disease can have serious consequences for children’s health including malnourishment, life-threatening infections, anemia, emergency surgery and even death.
To learn more and register for the Smile Drive, visit www.AmericasToothFairy.org or call (800) 559-9838.

About America’s    ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation®
America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness of one of the most prevalent chronic childhood illnesses: pediatric dental disease, facilitating the delivery of comprehensive oral health services and improving quality of life for underserved children. Through the #MySmileMatters Youth Movement, collaborative partnerships with a diverse array of national service organizations, growing network of non-profit clinical partners, dedicated professional and student volunteers, and suite of high-impact community education and service programs, America’s ToothFairy is building a powerful, united effort to eliminate tooth decay and protect the smiles of our most vulnerable children. For more information, visit www.AmericasToothFairy.org