More than 200 children laughed and screamed Friday afternoon at the informative and comical performance of "Land of Smiles" at Clarence Lawson Elementary.
"I think it is a very good educational opportunity," said Lonia Gubbels, school nurse. "They actually are able to learn the things that need to be taught in a fun, interactive way. ... It is free for the school, so any opportunities like that we like to use to educate the kids."
The program is provided by Delta Dental, and has toured roughly 320 schools every year for more than a decade, according to a press release from Delta Dental. It covers the importance of proper brushing and flossing techniques as well as rinsing with mouthwash, eating healthy foods and trips to the dentist.
Kindergartners through third graders sat cross-legged on the gym floor as the "Tooth Wizard," played by Aaron Michael, picked volunteers to help clean a giant mouth complete with a tongue in spite of the villainous "Plaque Man," played by Crawford Benjamin.
"I turn your healthy mouth into an unhealthy mouth," Plaque Man said to the crowd of excited students. "What makes toothpaste so special? Can it ride a bike ? Can it fly a plane? ... Wait, what is fluoride?"
Benjamin's character described himself to the kids as the person who makes the "icky, sticky, slimy, grimy stuff" called plaque. He met his end at the hands of the Tooth Wizard, who was aided by a giant toothbrush and a bucket of mouthwash.
"Our goal is to improve the oral health in the communities that we serve," Michael said. "We do it by doing a cartoon-like, big production that makes it fun and interactive so that what we teach them sticks. ... Starting dental care is important, and starting young is even more important because it stays with them for the rest of their life."
The two actors often switch roles, but both agree it is impossible to choose which role is better. Their average crowd is more than 200 children, but they have preformed in front of more than 800 children in one setting, Michael said.
"It is amazing how excited they get about the dentist," Benjamin said. "We make it fun, and it is really enjoyable to watch the kids have fun learning more about proper dental care."