Delta Dental of RI Awards $10,000 Grant to Reach Out & Read RI
Thursday, September 01, 2016
Delta Dental of Rhode Island through the Delta Dental of RI Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to Reach Out and Read RI that will allow 2,500 oral health-themed children's books to be delivered to various community health centers and pediatric offices all over the state.
“Our partnership with Reach Out and Read RI supports our mission to improve the oral health and well-being of all Rhode Islanders, including our state’s youngest citizens. Not only do these books boost early literacy skills by encouraging families to read aloud to their kids, the story itself introduces the importance of oral health care in a fun way. We thank the physicians who are helping us spread the message that oral health is important to overall health,” said Joseph A. Nagle, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Rhode Island.
Delta Dental of Rhode Island encourages early preventive care in order to help keep kids happy and healthy and in school as they are less likely to miss school due to tooth pain.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTReach Out and Read is an evidence based program which builds on the relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills starting in infancy. The program incorporates early literacy into pediatric practice and helps parents learn how to ensure that their kids are ready to learn when they begin school.
“Reach Out and Read RI is thrilled to partner with Delta Dental of RI on this joint early literacy/early oral health initiative. Pediatricians are trusted messengers for families of young children on a variety of issues, including oral health. Reach Out and Read RI is invested in treating the whole child and anything we can do to promote access to services is in the best interest of all Rhode Island families," said Susanna Rhodes Beckwith, executive director of Reach Out and Read RI.
Delta Dental’s website, deltadentalri.com, offers the following tips to help parents and kids stay on top of their oral health:
· Brush daily, using a fluoride toothpaste.
· Floss to remove plaque, a major cause of both tooth decay and gum disease.
· Eat a healthy diet, limit sugary and highly refined carbohydrate foods and drinks.
· Drink tap water (preferably fluoridated) instead of sugary sports drinks, colas or fruit juices.
· Get regular dental check-ups.
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