In celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Wake County Public Health is once again teaming up with Wake County Public Libraries for the popular Books & Smiles program that gives kids something to smile about.
Books & Smiles promotes the importance of the three B’s before bedtime: brush, book and bed. It encourages families to incorporate good dental hygiene habits into nightly routines, fostering both healthy teeth and a love for reading.
“Books & Smiles brings together the joy of storytelling and simple oral health practices to help our youngest residents build healthy habits that last a lifetime,” said Wake County Commissioner Tara Waters. “This free series also gives families a chance to connect with resources and learn about the dental care offered through our Smiles for Wake program.”
Smiles for Wake is a Wake County program that provides free dental care to children ages 0–20 who do not have insurance.
Throughout February, Books & Smiles will rotate to six library locations, offering families the opportunity to participate in these fun storytime programs:
- Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Southgate Community Library, 1601-14 Crosslink Road, Raleigh
- Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m. at Wake Forest Community Library, 400 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
- Thursday, Feb. 19, at 10:30 a.m. at Zebulon Community Library, 1000 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon
- Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 10:30 a.m. at Green Road Community Library, 4101 Green Road, Raleigh
- Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 10:30 a.m. at Richard B. Harrison Community Library, 1313 New Bern Ave., Raleigh
- Thursday, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m. at Fuquay-Varina Community Library, 271 Bramblehill Drive, Fuquay-Varina
The tooth fairy will be making a special appearance at the events on Feb. 17, 24 and 26.
Each participating child will receive a special Books & Smiles kit, which includes a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental-themed goodies to take home. Families will also have access to informative materials and resources for maintaining oral health.
The Books & Smiles program is based on the American Academy of Pediatrics campaign Brush, Book, Bed, which helps parents establish a nighttime routine for their children.
For more information about Books & Smiles and to stay updated on the schedule of events, visit wake.gov/smiles.
Smiles for Wake
Smiles for Wake, previously called Smiles at Sunnybrook, is a grant-funded initiative through the NC Office of Rural Health. Since October 2017, the program has provided more than 8,300 dental visits to children in our community. Clinics offer no-cost exams, cleanings, fluoride applications, X-rays and education.
All visits to Smiles for Wake are by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 919-250-4610, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To learn more about Wake County’s dental clinics, visit wake.gov/smiles.
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