USD #112 Central Plains School District has been awarded a grant of $3,509 from the Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation. Each year the Foundation provides grants to Kansas-based oral health programs which emphasize prevention to improve the oral health of Kansas.
 Funds from this grant were used to provide toothbrush kits for the “Miles of Smiles” dental hygiene education program for Central Plains K-8th grade students from Holyrood, Bushton, Claflin and Wilson communities. On Friday, Feb. 10, Dr. Ross Hildebrand, a dentist from Great Bend, and his staff volunteered their time to give oral health presentations and demonstrations for the over 300 Central Plains students. Each student then received calendars to chart daily brushing and flossing, along with toothbrush kits consisting of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. Students in grades 5 through 8 were also provided with Oral B Vitality power toothbrushes.
In addition, educational tooth models were purchased, along with the the Virginia Education Kit, for use in the classroom as continuation of the “Miles of Smiles” project in future years.
Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation Executive Director Karen Finstad says, “We are proud to provide funding for oral health resources for this school outreach program. This project works to educate Kansas kids on the importance of good oral health.”