Health Smiles Grant Awarded

At the grant presentation at River Valley YMCA Child Care Center in Williamsport are: Carolyn Hawk, director, River Valley YMCA Child Care Center; Tonya Welshans, public health educator, Pennsylvania Department of Health; Cynthia A. Yevich, executive director, The Blue Ribbon Foundation; Lycoming County United Way representatives Scott N. Lowery, executive director, and Rosann Pelleschi, funds distribution and community building director; and Myreta Churba, registered dental hygienist and community educator.

Lycoming County United Way has received an $8,430 grant from The Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania to provide dental education to preschool children in Lycoming County.

LCUW, in collaboration with Susquehanna Community Dental Center and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, will offer the “Healthy Smiles” dental education program to 800 children, ages 3 to 5, in low-income preschool and child care settings across Lycoming County.

A certified dental hygiene provider will deliver fifty (50) one-hour educational sessions covering age-appropriate topics such as the importance of taking care of one’s teeth, brushing, flossing and healthy dietary habits. All parents and caregivers will receive resource materials to help them reinforce good behaviors at home.

“Children’s Dental health Month is the perfect time to recognize how important good dental care is for good overall health at any age,” said Cynthia A. Yevich, executive director of The Blue Ribbon Foundation.  

“On behalf of our collaborative partners we are most grateful for The Blue Ribbon Foundation’s support in addressing a most important health need in Lycoming County. Proper dental care plays a major role in an individual’s overall health and well-being. The Healthy Smiles Initiative is aimed at teaching our pre-school children the proper way to care for their teeth in a fun-filled educational manner. The program is designed to have a positive impact on both children and their parents and addresses an identified health need in our area,” explained Scott N. Lowery, LCUW executive director.