St. Joseph Health Ministries presents ‘Power of a Smile Week’ June 13-19
The start of summer vacation isn’t the only reason for Lancaster County children to wear a big smile in June.
The nonprofit St. Joseph Health Ministries is bringing back “Power of a Smile Week” June 13-19 in its ongoing effort to promote oral health.
St. Joseph Health Ministries will give away three different collectible pin-back buttons, each one featuring a different smiling face. The buttons were designed by Morgan Combs, a fifth-grader at Blue Ball Elementary School; Anika Haski, a second-grader at Landisville Primary School; and Alex Lahr, a third-grader at Paradise Elementary School.
The buttons will be available starting June 13 at all Lancaster County public libraries and at these other locations, while supplies last:
- City Hall, 120 N. Duke St., Lancaster
- Ephrata Community Hospital, 169 Martin Ave., Ephrata
- Healthy Beginnings Plus, 531 N. Lime St., Lancaster
- Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic, 223 N. Lime St., Lancaster
- Lancaster General Health Downtown Family Medicine, 540 N. Duke St., Lancaster
- Meadow Creek Family Practice, 435 S. Kinzer Road, New Holland
- Southeast Lancaster Health Services, 625 S. Duke St., Lancaster
- Welsh Mountain Medical & Dental Center, 584 Springville Road, New Holland
St. Joseph Health Ministries operates the children’s oral health initiative, “Brush. Brush. Smile!” Its two 40-foot mobile dental clinics – the “Brush Brush Buses” – provide free dental care to economically disadvantaged children throughout Lancaster County.
The buttons include St. Joseph Health Ministries’ Web address, www.sjhm.org. The recently revamped Web site features a “For Kids and Families” section that offers free downloadable oral health resources, including songs by children’s musician Steven Courtney, a children’s activity book, and a 30-day brushing and flossing chart. There’s also a countdown 
clock that resets to two minutes, which is how long children and adults should brush, twice daily.
“Just like a trip to the Brush Brush Bus, Power of a Smile Week puts a fun, informative spin on brushing and flossing,” said Kelly Altland, interim president of St. Joseph Health Ministries. “We hope that parents and children will pick up and wear these cool buttons – and then visit our Web site to learn about how to take care of their teeth and gums to ensure happy, healthy smiles and overall health.”
Heart disease, clogged arteries and strokes are among the cardiovascular diseases that may be linked to oral health, according to MayoClinic.com. Gum disease has been linked to premature birth. Poor oral health can make diabetes more difficult to control.
Since its debut in 2004, Brush. Brush. Smile! has provided approximately $2 million worth of free dental care and oral health education to 23,000 children in Lancaster County’s 16 school districts.
St. Joseph Health Ministries (www.sjhm.org) improves the health of children in need within Lancaster County.
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