I’m stoked to present to you, my fabulous readers, the very first giveaway at She’sWrite. I’ve thought about doing giveaways in the past, but was never spurred into action until now.

What I love about this giveaway isn’t just that you guys get a chance to get a freebie worth $160, but there’s some do-goodin’ involved. Let me explain.

We all know dental health is important, especially for kids. But most parents don’t know that children should visit the dentist within six months of getting their first tooth – and no later than the first birthday. (In Illinois most kids don’t visit the dentist until they are 3 ½ years old.)

As part of the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation’s campaign to raise awareness, you can easily give an oral health kit to a local underprivileged child. And these children really need it. After all, one quarter of U.S. children have 80% of the nation’s tooth decay, and most of them are underprivileged.

The statewide public service campaign is called “Dentist by 1” and serves to educate parents about the benefits of taking their children to the dentist by age 1 and to encourage them to schedule a visit.

Along with the campaign, the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation is offering one of my readers the Oral B 5000 an electric toothbrush ($160 value) to help promote good oral health! (Sorry, but it’s only open to my Illinois peeps.)

To enter, tell me about your child’s first trip to the dentist or something funny about their oral health care habits in the comments under this post. This Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation “Dentist by 1” Electric Toothbrush giveaway begins today and ends on 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2012.

For additional entries:

• “Like” Delta Dental of Illinois on Facebook and tell me in the comments below.
• “Like” She’sWrite fan page on Facebook and tell me in the comments below or on the Facebook page.
• Pledge to take your kids to the dentist by age 1 or to regular visits at www.dentistby1.com and tell me in the comments below. When you pledge, Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation will donate an oral health kit to a local, underprivileged child and will also send you a kit. (Kits include a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste and a children’s oral health tip sheet.)
• Follow me on Twitter @sheswrite and send out this Tweet: “Did you know kids should see dentist by the 1st birthday?Help @sheswrite & @deltadentalil raise awareness.Click on http://bit.ly/helpkidz.

For more information about the importance of visiting the dentist by age 1 and tips on establishing good oral health habits for a lifetime of healthy smiles, visit www.Dentistby1.com.

No purchase necessary. Open to Illinois residents 18 & older. Odds of winning determined by the number of eligible entries. Not responsible for technical or typographical errors. Void where prohibited by law.

About Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation

The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation (DDILF) was formed in March 2008 by Delta Dental of Illinois (DDIL), a not-for-profit dental service corporation with a mission to improve the oral health of the communities it serves. DDILF is the charitable arm of DDIL and works to support and improve the oral health of people in Illinois. In the past decade, combined efforts of DDIL and DDILF have provided more than $2 million to programs and organizations that provide oral health education and expand access to oral health care for Illinois residents. DDIL provides dental benefit programs to individuals and more than 5,000 employee groups throughout Illinois and covers two million employees and family members nationwide. DDIL and DDILF are based in Naperville, Ill.

 

*Illustration courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net.