News release

Something to Smile About on In-service Day

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

Whether they're for eating, building a home or self-defence, an animal's teeth are among the most important parts of its body.

Teeth are the focus of an exhibit called Smile, The Tooth and Nothing But the Tooth, at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History. With a provincial teachers' in-service on Friday, Oct. 24, Nova Scotia families are invited to spend the day exploring more than two dozen interactive, educational and often humorous activity stations about teeth.

"The Smile exhibit is a comprehensive overview of teeth said Laurel McIvor, the museum's curator of interpretation. It's geared as much towards adults as children. Everyone will find it informative and entertaining."

Visitors will discover the esthetic and biological significance of teeth as well as the importance of good oral hygiene. They will also explore the role of teeth in various cultures, prehistoric life, literature and forensics. The exhibit includes a unit about Dentists Without Borders, an organization that brings dental care and smiles to children around the world.

Smile is endorsed by the Canadian dental community. Sunstar Americas Inc. Canada, which produces the GUM brand of dental products, is a sponsor of the exhibit.

"Smile explains modern dentistry practices by illustrating the connection of animal teeth to our own," said Francine Gagnon, dental hygienist for Sunstar. "Smile promotes good oral hygiene through activities designed to stimulate interest and learning on the subject of oral health."

Using historical figures like Levi Spear Parmly, the inventor of dental floss, and characters like Dracula and the Tooth Fairy, children hear about the importance of teeth and dental health through the exhibit. A miniature dental clinic, complete with a waiting room, dental chair, instruments and rinse cups, allows for creative play.

Smile is on display until January 18 at the Museum of Natural History, 1747 Summer St., Halifax. Details on programs and admission are available on the website at http://nature.museum.gov.ns.ca or by calling 902-424-6099.

Smile is a bilingual exhibit produced by the Musée de la nature et des sciences and the Centre d’exposition de l'Université de Montréal. It is sponsored by Heritage Canada, the University of Montreal's Eudore Dubeau Museum of Dentistry, Nobel Biocare Inc., Sunstar Americas Inc., the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, and the Ordre des Dentistes du Québec.


FOR BROADCAST ONLY:

Whether they're for eating, building a home or self-defence,

an animal's teeth are among the most important parts of its body.

Teeth are the focus of an exhibit called Smile, The Tooth

and Nothing But the Tooth, at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural

History.

With a provincial teachers' in-service on Friday, October

24th, Nova Scotia families are invited to spend the day exploring

more than two dozen interactive, educational and often humorous

activity stations about teeth.

Smile is on display until January 18th at the Museum of

Natural History on Summer Street in Halifax.

Details on programs and admission are available on the

website at H-T-T-P double slash nature museum dot G-O-V dot N-S

dot C-A or by calling 902-424-6099.