One in five children in the United States goes without dental care each year, and children from lower-income families are almost twice as likely to have tooth decay than those from higher-income families, reports America’s ToothFairy. Now, the organization will launch its “Be the ToothFairy” campaign on Giving Tuesday, November 27. The campaign gives each donor the opportunity to sponsor annual preventive dental care and oral health education for up to five children.
“Tooth decay is the most common chronic untreated disease among children in the US, but it is largely preventable,” said Jill Malmgren, executive director of America’s ToothFairy, which provides resources to nonprofit dental clinics and programs serving vulnerable populations across the country. “This campaign offers affordable options for anyone who wants to help a child avoid the pain and suffering of tooth decay by preventing it from happening in the first place.”
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that follows Thanksgiving and Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping events. This year’s Giving Tuesday on November 27 kicks off the giving season by inspiring people to collaborate and give back, America’s ToothFairy says. The organization hopes that this global movement to celebrate generosity will inspire individuals to “be the ToothFairy” for a child in need.
“The causes of restricted access to dental care for children are numerous and sometimes complicated,” Malmgren said. “However, our solution is quite simple. A monthly sponsorship as low as $10 will provide two annual checkups, fluoride treatment, and oral health education for a child who would otherwise have to go without. That’s a small price to pay considering the lifetime cost for a single decayed tooth can be up to $2,187.”
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