Spanish 
Santa Rosa, CA – (May 31) The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County is thrilled to open the new Dino Dental Clinic exhibit this Saturday at 10:00 am. This exhibit teaches children the importance of caring for their teeth and bodies while reducing anxiety and fear about visiting a real dentist’s office. It familiarizes children with commonly used dental equipment and sends the message that visits to the dentist are important to keep their teeth and bodies healthy. It shines a positive light on dental visits, which can bring about anxiety and fear in many children. In addition, dental play often increases their cooperation and compliance with healthy habits, like teeth brushing.
A new full-body dental patient named Izzy, who is a dinosaur dressed in a stylish purple leather jacket and black boots, is waiting to have their teeth cleaned and x-rayed by aspiring dentists and hygienists. Visitors can X-ray Izzy’s teeth and discover what Izzy had to eat for dinner. A large mouth model across the office lets visitors brush and floss human teeth. Kids will especially love being able to put their heads inside the mouth, look around at the various teeth, and possibly spot a cavity.
Funding for the Dino Dental Clinic exhibit was generously provided by SMILE Orthodontics, which is located in Santa Rosa and owned by Dr. Eliason. It took more than a year to complete all the elements in the exhibit. The CMOSC team met with the SMILE team to brainstorm various themes for the new exhibit and a dinosaur theme was the overwhelming winner. Dr. Eliason said, ““We absolutely loved collaborating with the CMOSC team throughout the design and fabrication process over the past year. It was an amazing experience to work with an organization who shares a similar mission while also adding an incredible measure of creativity and fun to everything. The Children’s Museum is an invaluable resource in our community that opens the minds of children and helps prepare them for the world. We look forward to continuing our work together to help children learn about their teeth and how to care for them.”
The talented artists Rachel Perry and Emiko Ogasawara created the life-like fantastical dinosaur creature, named Izzy by the clients of SMILE Orthodontics, with help from SRJC Sculpture Professor and Exhibit Designer Michael McGinnis. The large human mouth model was designed and fabricated by a team of five Santa Rosa Junior College sculpture students as part of their semester’s work in Michael McGinnis’s Sculpture class. Each student was paid a stipend for their work in addition to getting class credit. Due to last-minute fabrication challenges, the largemouth model will not be ready in time for Saturday’s grand opening and will be installed by the end of June. Izzy the Dinosaur is ready and anxiously awaiting her first dental appointment!
Collette Michaud, CEO & Founder, “We are so excited to open this new dinosaur-themed dental exhibit and see the smiles on children’s faces as they care for Izzy. Play is the most powerful motivator for children to learn. At the Children’s Museum, inspiring curiosity and creativity through joyful, transformative experiences drives every aspect of our work here.”
Celebrating ten years at its Santa Rosa campus, the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County inspires curiosity and creativity through joyful, transformative experiences and serves 200K guests annually through onsite visitation and outreach into the community. A private reception will be held at 9:00 am for SMILE Orthodontics Team members and family in the Party Pavilion at the Children’s Museum. The Dino Dental Clinic Grand Opening for the general public will occur at 10:00 am with brief remarks by Dr. Eliason and CEO Collette Michaud, followed by a ribbon cutting. Visitors will be given dental appointment times, which will allow them to take turns brushing Izzy’s teeth and exploring the new exhibit.
