Brushing Up for School

Reading for Smiles

Give a child his own toothbrush and he'll be better prepared for school. It makes sense when you think about it. Dental health is an essential component of good physical health, and children who are healthy are more ready to learn.

With this in mind, KLVX collaborated with local dentists and health providers to offer dental health workshops as part of the station's Ready to Learn initiative. The family-friendly workshops, dubbed Reading for Smiles, combined basic instruction with video clips and hands-on activities. The workshops were held in places families frequented: libraries, neighborhood centers and preschools. Children who participated left with toothbrushes, age-appropriate books, and parent resources written in English and Spanish.

Now in its sixth year, Reading for Smiles has grown to include on-air interstitials featuring local leaders and celebrities.

"What began as a small project has grown to include schools, community health organizations and city agencies," said KLVX Ready to Learn Coordinator Candace Thompson. "Together we've educated thousands of children and parents in the fundamentals of dental health."