Welcome back to what is sure to be another exciting and productive school year! We hope that you have had an enjoyable and restful summer break. MORE HEALTH’s official first day of teaching in Tampa Bay area schools will be September 24th. In the meantime, we are busy preparing our 25 health and safety lessons and communication materials for the school year. Summer is always a busy time for us!
While we are thrilled to educate children, teens, and adults in all aspects of health and safety, I would like to draw attention to the prevalence of absenteeism due to oral health issues. Dental caries (cavities) in the pediatric population affects overall well-being including communication skills, nutrition needs, and socialization abilities. The lack of sleep and discomfort stemming from dental caries is apparent in absenteeism and poor academic performance in the school setting. Last year MORE HEALTH taught over 18 thousand students how to properly care for their teeth and gums, provided these students complimentary toothbrushes, and participated in school-based sealant programs to the youngest of our elementary students! If you would like to personally make a positive difference on oral health in the Tampa Bay area, please click here to make a donation.
We appreciate your continued support for our MORE HEALTH programs. Healthy, safe, strong communities are those armed with the knowledge to make healthy, safe choices.
Karen Pesce Buckenheimer
Executive Director