Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota receives funding from Delta Dental of Minnesota to support the 19th year of the Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids program in St. Cloud Area
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota recently received a grant from Delta Dental of Minnesota to provide the Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids program to an estimated 400 youth at the Roosevelt, Southside and Eastside Clubs from March 2023 – February 2024.
With this funding, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota will provide a comprehensive nutrition program called Project Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids, designed to bring excellent dental hygiene and life habits to our community’s youth. The program has five primary components:
- Cavity Free Zone – to teach kids the importance of healthy dental hygiene habits
- Daily Meal Program – to teach kids the importance of proper nutrition and its connection to healthy dental hygiene
- Healthy lifestyles programs – to prevent the use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs and poor dietary choices, which also affect oral health
- Parental communication – to encourage parents to reinforce healthy habits at home
- Incentives – to recognize kids for their participation and application of 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, Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation & Corporate Philanthropy.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota hosted a Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids event at each of the Boys & Girls Clubs in March. Youth participated in fun, hands-on activities to learn more about how to keep their teeth and bodies healthy.
For more information about Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids Day, please contact the Boys & Girls Club at 320-252-7616.
About Delta Dental of Minnesota:
Delta Dental of Minnesota is one of the largest providers of dental benefits in the Upper Midwest, serving nearly 8,000 Minnesota- and North Dakota-based purchasing groups and 4.5 million members nationwide. Founded in 1969, the company is an independent, nonprofit health service plan corporation. To learn more, visit deltadentalmn.org.