Delta Dental Launched Smile Squad Patch Program
The initiative teaches oral hygiene to Girl Scouts across Oklahoma through interactive health experiments.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation has introduced the Smile Squad patch program to provide oral health education to local Girl Scouts. The program utilizes hands-on activities to teach children about dental habits and the impact of sugar on oral health.
Why it matters
By integrating health education into established extracurricular activities, the foundation aims to foster better long-term oral hygiene habits in children. The program provides all necessary materials and patches to participating troops at no cost.
The program materials and custom patches are provided to troops at no cost, marking a new approach to health-focused community engagement in Oklahoma. It is the first program in the country to feature the specialized MouthScience component.
The players
Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation
This is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the oral health of Oklahomans through community investments and education.
Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma
This is a regional council of the Girl Scouts of the USA that provides programming and leadership opportunities for girls in the state.
The details
Scouts earn the patch by completing interactive activities focused on positive dental habits, hidden sugars, and oral health experiments. The MouthScience component specifically challenges participants to analyze acid and sugar levels in common drink choices.
Timeline
October 8, 2026: Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation launched the Smile Squad patch program.
Market Landscape
This initiative aligns with the broader trend of corporate foundations integrating into established national badge programs to increase educational reach. By tying the curriculum to the My Best Self and Staying Fit badges, the foundation ensures higher participation rates among local youth.
Families with children in the program can benefit from free health education materials and resources provided by the foundation. This partnership allows parents to access structured oral health lessons at no cost through their existing Girl Scout troop activities.
The takeaway
This program demonstrates how corporate partnerships can provide tangible health literacy resources to local youth organizations. Parents can support their children by encouraging them to complete the MouthScience experiments to better understand their daily dietary choices.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to support youth well-being in our Oklahoma Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Journal Record.
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