Children’s Museum of Phoenix Healthy Smiles Month Presented by Delta Dental of Arizona

Children’s Museum of Phoenix and Delta Dental of Arizona have partnered to bring oral health programming to the Museum for the month of February – National Children’s Dental Health Month. This marks the 18th consecutive year that the Museum and Delta Dental of Arizona have joined forces to provide oral health education programs to Museum visitors. The Museum will host interactive activities, shows and educational information related to the mouth, teeth, and oral health all month long. Thanks to Delta Dental of Arizona, oral health programming and activities are free with paid Museum admission. Children under the age of 1 are free as are members of the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. “Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood health challenges, yet it is also one of the most preventable,” said Barb Kozuh, executive director of Delta Dental of Arizona. “By partnering with the Children’s Museum of Phoenix for Healthy Smiles Month, we are meeting kids and families where learning is fun, hands-on, and memorable, while helping build healthy habits that can last a lifetime.” Daily hands-on activities will include daily story time with a playologist and ample arts and crafts projects, including the chance to make a “toothsaver necklace” to hold lost teeth and keep them safe for the Tooth Fairy. Back by popular demand are also the Delta Dental of Arizona "Smile Bags" containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and fun facts about dental health. These free giveaways will be available daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to all visitors throughout the month, including for field trip visitors. Featured programs, each of which will be presented on select days throughout the month, include: • Tuesday Toothday: Celebrate “Tooth-day” at the Museum every Tuesday in February at 10:30 a.m. During each session, kids will enjoy a different interactive activity with museum staff. • The Great Flossini Presents “The Totally Tooth-Ular Magic Show,” an interactive magic show designed specifically to reinforce the importance of brushing, flossing, eating healthy foods, and visiting the dentist regularly. The magic shows will take place February 3, 13, 20, and 25 at 10:30 a.m. and again at 11:30 a.m. • From First Tooth to Loose Tooth: During this Q&A session with dental students from A.T. Still University, parents can ask questions about anything from thumb-sucking to the best time to take your baby to the dentist. These sessions will be held Feb. 8, 15, and 22 at 11 a.m. • Brushing Giant Teeth: This live demonstration in the Children’s Garden will give kids the chance to practice proper brushing techniques on a massive set of giant teeth. These demonstrations will take place Feb. 7 and 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. • Treats from the KIDchen with Edible Ed: Join character and educator Edible Ed in the KIDchen as he uses the Delta Dental of Arizona Mouth Healthy Cookbook to make delicious and healthy treats. The live cooking demonstrations will take place every Thursday in February at 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. • Melting Molars in the KIDchen: Explore what happens when teeth meet acids and sugars in this frosty, hands-on experiment. Kids will use ice cubes as “teeth” to see how salty and sugary foods can cause damage over time, and then grab a toothbrush to discover how brushing helps protect smiles. This will take place Feb. 25 at 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. • Hidden Smiles: Through art – and a little “magic” – kids will discover the science behind brushing. This will take place Feb. 10 to 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Nibble, Bite, Chomp-Animal Teeth Puppets: Learn about the different types of animal teeth and how they help creatures eat, chew, and survive, plus the chance to create toothy animal puppets. This will take place Feb. 16 to 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. • Pop Up Story Drama: Children will learn about the tools of imaginative play and performance during these interactive sessions in the DramaRama exhibit. This will take place Feb. 21 at 9:30 a.m. • Tooth Fairy Dust Sensory Play: Dive into a magical sensory bin filled with glittery “fairy dust” and hidden treasures. Through hands-on sensory play, children explore textures, practice fine motor skills, and spark curiosity, all with a touch of Tooth Fairy magic. This will take place Feb. 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. “This partnership reflects our commitment to removing barriers to care and making oral health education accessible to all families,” said Kozuh. “By offering free programming throughout February, Delta Dental of Arizona is working to educate children about the importance of oral health to overall health in a way that is inclusive, engaging, and rooted in community.” For a full schedule of activities and featured programming at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix throughout the month of February, please visit www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/events.

Event Links

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