Esther Wilkins Legacy League members support colleagues delivering smile-saving education

Volunteer participation in the Esther Wilkins International Education Program(1) has exploded in popularity since its inception in 2011. Chaired by Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS, Michele Darby, BSDH, MS, Anna Pattison, RDH, MS, and Rebecca Wilder, RDH, MS, the Esther Wilkins International Education Program now boasts members in all 50 states, Canada and military bases throughout the world. A majority of the dental hygiene schools in the U.S. are also participating in the program. This is a cause we hope that every dental hygienist can embrace as members of the Esther Wilkins Legacy League.(2) The Esther Wilkins Legacy League unites dental hygienists in their common mission to prevent dental disease, and honors their role as community oral health educators and prevention specialists. Esther Wilkins Legacy League members will serve as the driving force for ongoing oral health promotion efforts conducted by the Esther Wilkins International Education Program volunteers.

Aligning with this mission, Esther Wilkins International Education Program volunteers are supplied with NCOHF Community Education Kits that include basic nutrition information and prevention strategies appropriate for prenatal through young adult learning levels. Using the Community Education Kits, program volunteers have reached thousands of children and families with vital oral health education and preventive strategies. Dental hygienists and students are using their Community Education Kits at home and on mission trips abroad to promote good oral health habits for children around the globe. These champions of children’s oral health include program volunteers like Jerilyn Thompson, RDH. (pictured below)

Jerilyn is a dental hygienist at LaClinica de La Raza who does all that she can to promote children’s oral health for the residents of Oakland, California. She began by assisting her father, a dentist, in his community work and provided oral health education at shelters and centers for women with HIV and AIDS as a dental hygiene student. Inspiring her to become a dental hygienist, her father often told her she could make a big difference in the lives of her patients. Word of her engaging oral health presentations has spread throughout her community and requests continue to pour in from community organizations, schools and children’s programs. As a program volunteer, Jerilyn uses her Community Education Kit in classrooms throughout the Oakland area, health fairs, summer camps, daycare centers and other community events. Providing hundreds of children in her community with oral health education, Jerilyn understands the importance of having engaging tools and lesson materials that encourage their participation. “We have to keep the message simple and fun, making it easy for children and their parents to remember. The children LOVE the Community Education Kit I received as a volunteer in the Esther Wilkins International Education Program. The magnetic board and giant toothbrush are excellent tools for helping them learn about making healthy snack choices and toothbrushing techniques,” she said. Through the Esther Wilkins International Education Program, dental hygiene professionals like Jerilyn can take the lead in breaking the vicious cycle of pediatric dental disease by providing children and their caregivers with the knowledge they need to maintain beautiful, healthy smiles for a lifetime. Volunteer dental hygienists and students are now reaching thousands of children through this smile-saving program. However, without continued support from dental hygiene professionals, the number of children being helped will diminish, leaving countless children victim to childhood tooth decay and the pain and shame associated with oral disease. Now, dental hygienists have an opportunity to join Dr. Wilkins and help support the great work of Jerilyn and their colleagues as members of the Esther Wilkins Legacy League!(2) As a member of the Esther Wilkins Legacy League, your donation will go directly to providing valuable educational tools to promote prevention and good oral health behavior. With special thanks to PennWell® and RDH magazine, members of the Legacy League will be eligible for a special ToothFairy pin and an invitation to the exclusive Members Only luncheon at RDH Under One Roof!(4) Esther Wilkins Legacy League members will also be eligible for special drawings for Orascoptic loupes and other prizes!

Join Dr. Esther Wilkins and NCOHF: America’s ToothFairy in a powerful, united effort to prevent tooth decay and protect the smiles of our most vulnerable children! Make your difference and your Esther Wilkins Legacy League donation today at www.AmericasToothFairy.org!(3)

References 1. http://www.ncohf.org/professionals/hygienists/. 2. http://www.ncohf.org/professionals/hygienists/esther-wilkins-legacy-league/. 3. http://www.ncohf.org/. 4. http://www.rdhunderoneroof.com/index.html.