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By ROBERT LEE LONG Community Editor
Published:  Tuesday, February 10, 2015 6:07 AM CST

Children at the Hernando ICS Head Start squealed and giggled as the Tooth Fairy made a surprise visit to the classroom on Monday as part of the Excel by 5 program’s effort to promote good health, literacy and lifelong learning skills to the next generation.
The Tooth Fairy’s alter ego, Cynthia Fisher, is a dental hygienist, who came dressed in a flowing gown and waving a magic toothbrush instead of a wand.

“It’s so important to develop good habits of brushing every day, at least twice a day,” Fisher told the children. “You also need to eat healthy fruits and vegetables.”
Fisher handed out free toothbrushes to Head Start children and showed the youngsters how to properly brush their teeth.

“You do little circles on your teeth,” Fisher said. “You want to spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth each time. You need to brush your tongue, too, boys and girls. The sugar bugs like to stay on there.”
The visit was sponsored, in part, by Dr. Robert Maddux, DDS, and Dr. Amy Wadsworth, DDS, both Hernando area dentists whose practices comprise Hernando Dental Group Family Dentistry.
The Excel by 5 program is supported in large measure by the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.
“Excel by 5 wants to thank the Community Foundation for their support,” said Gia Matheny, who wears two hats as Community Development Director for the City of Hernando and as a coordinator for Excel by 5 programs.
“This is Pediatric Dental Awareness Month,” said Matheny. “It’s important for children to learn early the importance of practicing good dental hygiene in order to live healthy and productive lives.”
Robert Lee Long is Community Editor for the DeSoto Times-Tribune. He may be contacted at rlong@desototimestribune.com or at 662-429-6397, Ext. 252.