United Concordia Companies, Inc. Sponsors second tour
Baltimore, MD (February 8, 2006) - “Brushella the Tooth Fairy” begins her second North American tour of children’s and science museums this month when Branches, Bristles and Batteries: Toothbrushes Through Time opens at the Children’s Museum of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. This three-month engagement marks the first time an interactive exhibition developed by the staff of The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry (NMD) has traveled beyond United States borders. This special Branches, Bristles and Batteries tour is made possible through the generous support of the United Concordia Companies Inc., a national dental insurer headquartered in Harrisburg, PA.
“Brushella” serves as the virtual hostess and guide for the exhibition, which encourages children and families to “brush up” on the terrific truths about toothbrushes while helping to develop habits that ensure good oral health. Targeted to children of elementary school age, Branches, Bristles and Batteries includes child-centered learning stations, a computer-based activity area and colorful text panels. The special Branches, Bristles and Batteries timeline vibrantly chronicles the history of the toothbrush, matching important events in world history with significant events in the toothbrush development, from Babylonian branches to the battery-powered devices of the modern era.
“Through Branches, Bristles and Batteries we are helping children and their families to achieve an overall healthy lifestyle through entertaining and high-tech activities that address oral care techniques, history and nutrition,” stated Ms. Rosemary Fetter, Executive Director, NMD.
"United Concordia is excited to be a part of the good work of the National Museum of Dentistry through our sponsorship of the Branches, Bristles and Batteries exhibit. We believe this is a wonderful and entertaining way to educate children and their parents about the importance of good dental health," said Karen Whitesel, United Concordia’s corporate vice president, professional relations and product development.
Between 2006 and 2008,
Branches, Bristles and Batteries will travel to cities across the United States and Canada, educating and engaging millions of children and adults at science centers and children’s museums. A list of scheduled cities is updated at
www.dentalmuseum.org/exhibitions/traveling.
During its 2002-2005 national tour, Branches, Bristles and Batteries educated more than two million visitors in nine cities: New Orleans; Oklahoma City; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Portsmouth, Virginia; St. Paul, Minnesota; Kansas City, Kansas; Dallas and El Paso, Texas and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Local dental associations in each city partnered with host museums to promote the exhibition and plan educational programs, enhancing oral health education throughout the country.
“We thoroughly enjoyed hosting the Branches, Bristles and Batteries exhibition at the Children's Museum of Virginia,” stated Al Schweizer, site manager of the Children’s Museum of Virginia, which hosted Branches, Bristles and Batteries in 2003. “The public, especially the kids, got a big kick out of the interactive stations - particularly the big tooth and toothbrush. By partnering with two local dental clinics, whose staff manned the exhibition on the weekends, we also increased opportunities for dental health education outreach throughout Hampton Roads.”
“Branches, Bristles and Batteries is an asset to the dental profession and anyone who misses this exhibit will be missing a great experience,” stated James B. Lowe, DDS of Oklahoma City.