NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. — Smart Start of New Hanover County has received a grant aimed at improving dental health education for young children. The grant, known as the Smiles for Kids Grant, comes from the Delta Dental Foundation and will support efforts to raise awareness about oral hygiene among families with children from birth to age five.
The funding will help Smart Start distribute children’s books focused on dental health. These books are designed to teach essential oral hygiene habits in a fun and engaging way. The organization believes that combining early reading with health education can help create lasting, positive habits.
“Early prevention through education is critical,” said a Smart Start representative. “The habits children develop in the first five years can shape their lifelong oral health.”
Tooth decay remains one of the most common childhood diseases, especially among children from low-income families.
Smart Start hopes to address this issue by making educational resources more accessible and relatable.
Books from this initiative will be made available through several community outlets. Families can access them at the WIC free book vending machine operated by the New Hanover County Department of Health and Human Services. The books will also be distributed at the Smart Start Family Festival book giveaway and other local outreach events.
By integrating dental health into early literacy programs, Smart Start aims to improve both reading skills and oral hygiene awareness. The organization says the grant will help families make informed decisions and support healthy smiles from an early age.
