Little Rock, Ark. (February 23, 2012) — The Museum of Discovery is hosting ”Healthy Smiles” on Saturday, February 25, 2012, and inviting kids to come grin and learn it at the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Amazing You Gallery.

If you’ve ever wondered how what you eat — and drink — affects the strength of your teeth and health of your gums or what to do if you got a tooth knocked out in a game, then you don’t want to miss ”Healthy Smiles.” Have fun as you discover these facts and the connection between floss and fresh!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and kids of all ages can participate in the ”Healthy Smiles” Event inside the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Amazing You Gallery.

BlueAnn Ewe, Arkansas Blue Cross’ health ambassador (a big, blue sheep costumed character) will make special appearances from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. distributing toothbrushes and dental floss (while supplies last) to gallery-goers. Museum staff, local dental hygienists and hygienist students also will conduct hands-on demonstrations throughout the day.

“This is the first of several fun learning events that will occur during the year within the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Amazing You Gallery,” said Nan Selz, executive director of the Museum of Discovery. “We encourage parents and grandparents to bring the children to the Museum and help them make the connection between healthy habits and strong teeth and gums. They will get to experience both some ‘yuck’ and ‘yum’ factors when it comes to good dental health with lots of smiles along the learning path.”

“BlueAnn will greet children, pose for photos and let kids brush her ‘teeth,’ at the ’Healthy Smiles’ event,” said Karen Raley, vice president of Communications and Product Development, for Arkansas Blue Cross. “BlueAnn travels the state teaching kids about good dental health as a part of overall health and we are excited to have her appearing at the new Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Amazing You Gallery inside the Museum of Discovery.”

The Donald W. Reynolds Science Center at the Museum of Discovery re-opened its doors in January 2012 with brand new, state-of-the-art, interactive science and technology exhibits. It serves as Arkansas’s premier informal educational resource in those areas. Its mission is to ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment.

Founded in 1948, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest health insurer in Arkansas. If combined, the 39 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans collectively provide health care coverage for 98 million Americans.

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