Dentist creates Tabitha/Tanner the Tooth
KIM MILLER
Oral Fitness Coach
I am pleased to introduce Dale Audrey Unger, RDH, a self-described oral fitness coach. Dale graduated in 1983 from the dental hygiene program at Miami Dade College. From 1985 to 1989 she practiced and taught dental hygiene in Florence, Italy. Once back in the United States, Dale continued to practice dental hygiene and began formulating her natural oral care line.
As the daughter of a periodontist with 30 years of clinical hygiene under her belt, Dale fulfilled one of her life goals three years ago by purchasing a motor coach and hitting the road armed with her all-natural product line and a passion to serve and educate consumers about the importance of their oral care. Dale has retail accounts across the United States in Whole Foods, Mother's, Natural Grocers, and many other natural health food retailers. You may find her in any of these retail stores with her product display, answering questions and educating consumers as they sample her products.
Dale said, "My mission is to provide the highest quality natural oral care products and teach the importance of oral health as it relates to the entire body's health and well-being."
Dale is looking for hygienists nationwide to join her in spreading the message about her products while helping patients live healthier lives through better oral care. You may contact her directly at [email protected].
In addition to retail products, Dale offers professional strength and professionally labeled products to be dispensed only through dental offices. I have been enjoying using the fresh mint toothpaste (with neem) as well as the pleasant oral pulling rinse.
Retail and professional products include (examples below list both professional and retail ingredients):
• Dale Audrey Ayurvedic Oral Pulling Rinse in mint, cinnamon, ginger, and bubblegum flavors. Retail ingredients: organic sesame oil, organic sunflower oil, organic olive oil, clove bud oil, neem, myrrh, pomegranate extract, oil of oregano, and organic flavors. Professional ingredients: (mint and cinnamon only) organic sesame oil, organic sunflower oil, organic olive oil, organic chia seed oil, neem, myrrh, clove bud oil, organic black seed oil, frankincense, oregano oil, cranberry extract, and organic flavors.
• Dale Audrey Toothpaste/Toothpowder in mint, cinnamon, and ginger/lemongrass flavors. Retail ingredients: calcium carbonate, vitamin C, folic acid, neem, calendula, clove, camu camu, monk fruit, aloe vera, blue green algae, hemp oil, turmeric, and organic flavors. Professional ingredients: (mint only) calcium carbonate, bentonite clay, vitamin C, aloe vera, camu camu, spirulina, black seed oil, turmeric, frankincense, myrrh, ginger, and organic flavors.
• Dale Audrey White2nite Natural Tooth Whitener. No sensitivity or pain. Retail ingredients: food grade hydrogen peroxide, deionized water, alcohol, aloe vera, pomegranate extract, chamomile extract, xylitol, and natural flavors. Professional ingredients: same as above with 14% food grade hydrogen peroxide.
Dale has also designed a simple and thorough morning and evening professional program for consumers to help them achieve and maintain optimum oral health (video instructions are available at daleaudrey.com). The morning routine is:
>> Step 1: Detox using the Dale Audrey Tongue Cleaner and Detox Serum
>> Step 2: Cleanse using 1 teaspoon of Dale Audrey Oral Pulling Rinse for 30 seconds, two minutes, or 20 minutes
>> Step 3: Brush using the Dale Audrey Quick Sonic Toothbrush
The evening routine is:
>> Step 1: Floss using Dale Audrey waxed or unwaxed floss
>> Step 2: Brush using the Dale Audrey Quick Sonic Toothbrush and toothpaste or powder
>> Step 3: Massage using the Dale Audrey Gum Stimulator
I have found Dale Audrey's products to be effective and affordable, and I have enjoyed using them. Be on the lookout for Dale's first book, "At Home: Dental Spa Therapy Optimum Oral Care Prevention and Treatment with Natural and Organic Dental Care Products!" To learn more, visit her website at daleaudrey.com. Her products and book are also available on Amazon.
Tabitha and Tanner the Tooth
Gina Mancini, DMD, practices in Jacksonville, N.C., and has a passion for educating and entertaining children about oral health. With more than 16 million children in the United States still suffering from tooth decay, Dr. Mancini shared with me that she feels an obligation as a dentist and a mother to help reduce those numbers. Her strategy is to entertain while educating and getting children excited about achieving a happy, healthy smile! And so the original stage play, "Tabitha the Tooth," written by Dr. Mancini, was born.
Dr. Mancini and her team performed "Tabitha the Tooth" for several years at local elementary schools. After seeing how excited the children were about what they were learning, she created a book with a doll, patterned after the "Elf on the Shelf" concept. In fact, Dr. Mancini won the Book of the Year award, given by Creative Child Magazine in 2014, which just so happens to be the first award Elf on the Shelf won. So, what started out as a play to entertain local schoolchildren during dental health month has grown into an educational program for elementary school-aged children.
In fact, Dr. Mancini is looking for your help! If you have connections, ideas, or suggestions about how she can get her program into one of your local schools, daycare centers, dental offices, etc., please email or call Dr. Mancini to share your ideas. Call (910) 347-9100 or email her at [email protected].
Tabitha the Tooth is a 10-inch plush doll and is available for $10.95. A box set that includes the doll and a copy of "The ABCs of a Happy, Healthy Mouth" book is available for $24.95. A Smile Kit is also available, which includes a toothbrush, dental floss, brushing timer, and toothbrush travel protector for $8.95.
Tabitha the Tooth now has a friend! Meet Tanner the Tooth, Tabitha's buddy who has joined the team! Tanner is also available on his own or with the book.
Dr. Mancini has recently added an activity guide and reward stickers that can be used in the dental office, classroom setting, or home school setting; really anywhere oral health education is taking place and could benefit from the addition of Tabitha/Tanner the Tooth! Check it out today at tabithathetooth.com.
As always, thank you for reading my column and email me with your product and technology suggestions, tips, or innovations! I look forward to hearing from you at [email protected]. RDH
KIM MILLER, RDH, BSDH, is the co-founder of PerioFrogz.com, an information-based website providing free current oral-systemic research summaries and patient education downloads. Kim is also a coach with Inspired Hygiene, delivering customized hands-on training. She speaks internationally, writes articles and webinars, and enjoys clinical dental hygiene. Kim lives in Arizona and welcomes you to contact her at [email protected].
