OTTAWA – Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation’s Land of Smiles® visited Marseilles Elementary School and Lincoln Elementary School in September, reaching 530 pre-kindergarten through third grade students.

Land of Smiles is a free interactive show that makes learning about oral hygiene, nutrition, and regular dental checkups fun and engaging. Featuring characters like Captain Super Grin, Terri Tooth Fairy, Toothpick, and their playful nemesis, Caz Cavity, Land of Smiles captivates young audiences while teaching them how to keep their smiles healthy and cavity-free.  

Tooth decay remains the leading chronic disease affecting children. Research shows that 22% of Illinois third graders have untreated tooth decay.1 In a steadfast effort to address and curb tooth decay among children, Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation’s free Land of Smiles program tours twice a year.

This fall, Land of Smiles is reaching nearly 19,000 students at 85 schools. Every student at a Land of Smiles performance receives a free oral health kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, along with bilingual oral health tips outlining how students should care for their teeth. 

The Land of Smiles program is a testament to Delta Dental of Illinois’ commitment to improving the oral health of young Illinoisans. Over the past 14 years, the program has reached over 570,000 students at more than 1,030 Illinois elementary schools.

To learn more about the Land of Smiles program, download K-3 oral health educational resources, or request a school performance, visit landofsmilesil.org. 

About Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation  

The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation was formed in March 2008 by Delta Dental of Illinois, a not-for-profit dental service corporation with a mission to improve the oral health of the communities it serves. Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of Delta Dental of Illinois and works to support and improve the oral health of people in Illinois. In the past decade, combined efforts of Delta Dental of Illinois and Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation have provided more than $30 million to programs and organizations in Illinois that improve the oral health of the residents of Illinois.