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CATCH Healthy Smiles Rural Mississippi Initiative in Partnership with Delta Dental

Over the last three school years, our partnerships with the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation and other Delta Dental affiliates have brought CATCH Healthy Smiles, our evidence-based PreK-2 oral health program, to approximately 75,000 children nationwide.

Mississippi consistently ranks among the lowest in the nation for oral health outcomes, making the need for early preventive health education great.

With the generous support of DDCCF we are focusing program momentum and impact in Mississippi, especially rural areas of the state, to improve early oral health.

To ensure this program builds a lasting culture of oral health, we are prioritizing local partnerships and providing school stipends, oral hygiene kits, and in-person training at no cost.

Delta Dental

Eligible Counties

Statewide, with priority for Bolivar, Sunflower, and Pike

Program Components

CATCH Healthy Smiles, an evidence-based curriculum helps improve the oral health of students in grades PreK-2. The curriculum was developed by UTHealth Houston School of Public Health with support from Delta Dental Community Care Foundation and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Pre-K

8 carpet time sessions

1-hour live virtual training session to equip anyone delivering or supporting oral health instruction with effective strategies on developing positive oral hygiene habits.

K-2

5 classroom sessions

Caregiver materials in English and Spanish

Over 40 extension activities

1-hour live virtual training session to equip anyone delivering or supporting oral health instruction with effective strategies on developing positive oral hygiene habits.

Dental Health Kits

Participating classrooms will receive a kit to reinforce healthy habits at home - while supplies last!

Dental Health Kits

Stipends

The first 200 educators, upon successful implementation, are eligible for a teacher participation stipend.

Oral Health Outcomes in Mississippi

According to the Mississippi State Department of Health:

  • Over 60% of third-graders have experienced dental decay

  • 22% of children ages 6 to 9 have untreated cavities and are attending school with infection or dental pain.

  • More than half of Mississippi adults (over 1.1 million, 53%) have had one or more permanent teeth removed because of gum disease or tooth decay

More about The Partnership

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Hear From a Mississippi Educator

Frednijah Harris is both a health teacher and MTSS Coordinator within the Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District in Mississippi.

“This program has been an invaluable resource in my classroom. It has greatly enhanced my lesson planning by providing creative ideas, engaging activities, and a variety of instructional strategies across different topics. The program helps me develop lessons that are both meaningful and engaging, allowing me to better meet the diverse learning needs of my students.”

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Hear From Yvonne Allen

Yvonne Allen lives in Tuskegee, Alabama. With more than 15 years of experience as an educator, trainer, and community engagement professional supporting health, wellness, and youth development initiatives in schools and marginalized communities, she currently works for CATCH Global Foundation. Yvonne is passionate about creating culturally responsive spaces that recognize the inherent value, knowledge, and strengths communities already bring to the table.

“I am honored to serve as the lead for this initiative and to help advance oral health in Mississippi. My passion is bringing people, resources, and opportunity together to create healthier lives and brighter smiles, because a healthy smile can open the door to confidence, connection, and a stronger future.”