Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota Receives Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids Grant from Delta Dental

(KNSI) — Delta Dental of Minnesota just provided the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota with a grant for its Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids program, which will help an estimated 400 kids.

The funding will provide a comprehensive nutrition program designed to bring about good dental hygiene and life habits for kids at the Eastside, Roosevelt and Southside clubs.

The program runs from now until February 2024 and has five primary components.

The Cavity Free Zone teaches kids the importance of healthy dental hygiene habits. It goes along with the Daily Meal Program to teach kids the importance of proper nutrition and its connection to healthy dental hygiene. The Healthy Lifestyles programs aim to prevent the use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs and poor dietary choices, which also affect oral health. The program also encourages parental communication to reinforce healthy habits at home. There are incentives to recognize kids for participating and applying learned healthy habits.

“Untreated cavities are one of the leading reasons that children miss school,” said Aimee Minnerath, Boys & Girls Club’s Senior Director of Communications. “Delta Dental of Minnesota’s support enables Boys & Girls Club staff to provide engaging programs and activities that empower youth to take better care of their teeth and lead healthier lifestyles, preventing cavities and keeping our kids in school.”

“Delta Dental of Minnesota is proud to support Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota’s program to equip youth with knowledge and habits that support lifelong oral health,” said Stephanie Albert, President of Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation & Corporate Philanthropy.

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