Giving

Donor Spotlight: This is the Way You Brush Your Teeth

November 1, 2020

On an October afternoon, Sam Durante went to the dentist for his routine dental cleaning. Leaving his appointment, he was elated to find out that he has never had a cavity throughout his 18 years of life.

Son of MCC Early Head Start (EHS) Health and Safety Engagement Coordinator, Yolanda Durante, Sam was inspired by the work his mom does for children and families. After learning from Yolanda that kids were unable to take care of their teeth due to dental office closures from the pandemic, Sam approached his mom with an idea. He set out to create and distribute dental kits to children in EHS centers to provide them with the tools they need to keep their teeth healthy and prevent any future cavities.

Sam gathered up his savings, purchased toothbrushes, toothpaste, and created an instruction guide for brushing along with a song. With the help of his mom, Sam assembled 40 dental kits and donated them to MCC families. Sam explained, “it always feels good to do something for the community.”

This Donor Spotlight is one of true generosity and kindness, where a senior in high school wanted one thing for EHS children: dental hygiene to prevent future complications.

LETTER FROM SAM

Hello Early Head Start Parents,

Sam Durante is a senior in high school and has not had a cavity yet! He is putting together this kit to help your child become a cavity-free kid too. Here are helpful things that you can do to keep your child’s teeth healthy during the challenges of COVID-19.

Take your child to the dentist when the first tooth arrives or before the first birthday.

Remember to make an appointment every six months.

Clean an infant’s gums with a soft cloth before teeth emerge and never have your child fall asleep drinking a bottle.

Once the first tooth arrives, brush your child’s teeth after breakfast and dinner.

Your child can help, but brush your child’s teeth until they are 8 years.

Here is a song from Cavity Free Kids that you can sing with your child. There are more resources at cavityfreekids.org.

Sing the song “This is the Way I Brush My Teeth”

(To the tune “Here we go Round the Mulberry Bush”)

This is the way I brush my teeth, brush my teeth, brush my teeth.

This is the way I brush my teeth so early in the morning.

This is the way my toothbrush goes round and round, round and round.

This is the way my toothbrush goes round and round so early in the morning.