We’re making it fun to learn about oral health!
Our oral health education programs feature Mighty Molar, a cartoon character that we developed and produced to help make learning about good oral hygiene a fun and memorable experience for people of all ages.
Who is Mighty Molar?
Mighty Molar is a 6-foot tall, smiling tooth costume and is often accompanied by Murray the Toothbrush, another life-size character. Both Mighty and Murray attend community events and are featured in skits and other educational programs we bring to local elementary schools, day cares, and Head Start programs. Kids learn about healthy foods, how to brush their teeth, and tooth safety. SVHC staff, community members, senior volunteers, and SUNY Cortland students are all involved in sharing the message that teeth are meant to last a lifetime.
Why oral health matters:
Oral health affects overall health, diet, speech, and appearance, and good brushing and flossing habits need to start early. According to the American Dental Association, cavities are the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood. Kids who have untreated cavities may experience pain and infection, have trouble concentrating in class, and have poor self-esteem. For adults, inflammation related to infection and untreated gum disease has been associated with higher risks of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Poor oral health in pregnant women has also been linked to premature birth and low birth weight in babies. Tooth extractions in adults, caused by poor oral health, cause pain and problems with speech, chewing, and overall nutrition status.
More Mighty Info
Oral Health Problems are common and preventable!
Tooth decay affects more than one-fourth of U.S. children aged 2–5 years and half of those aged 12–15 years.
About half of all children and two-thirds of adolescents aged 12–19 years from lower-income families have had decay.
Among all adolescents aged 12–19 years, 20% currently have untreated decay.
Advanced gum disease affects 4%–12% of U.S. adults. Half of the cases of severe gum disease in the United States are the result of cigarette smoking. The prevalence of gum disease is three times higher among smokers than among people who have never smoked.
One-fourth of U.S. adults aged 65 or older have lost all of their teeth (CDC).
Resources and Cortland County Oral Health Statistics
Connect with Us
Please connect with Aaliyah Camp for additional support and assistance with Mighty Molar and Cavity Free Cortland.
Phone: (607) 756-4198
