PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has launched the Brush, Book, Bed campaign, which encourages children to build routines that establish good dental health habits, combining oral health, literacy and an appropriate bedtime.

“This campaign is a valuable opportunity to foster early habits of literacy and health in our children,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “As a father of young children, I know how important these habits are for their future success. That’s why I urge all organizations that work with children to join us in this initiative.”

The kickoff to the campaign, led by the Oral Health Long Beach advisory committee, coincides with National Children’s Dental Health Month, taking place throughout February. As part of the campaign, the Health Department will be sharing resources, such as bookmarks, dental kits and short storybooks. Messaging will also be shared via the Health Department’s social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and X, digital billboards and on Long Beach Transit buses. Community organizations are also encouraged to adopt the campaign into their existing dental hygiene or literacy programs.

When daily brushing and flossing is ignored, bacteria in the mouth can cause tooth decay, gum disease, or worse. Studies have attributed cardiovascular disease, endocarditis, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases to poor oral health. For pregnant women, skipping dental hygiene can lead to premature birth and low birth weight.

“We know the well-being of a community starts in childhood; this campaign provides a simple yet powerful avenue for amplifying its influence through a collective impact approach," said Acting Health and Human Services Director Alison King.

Organizations interested in participating in the Brush, Book, Bed campaign can visit longbeach.gov/oralhealth to learn more and download digital and print assets.

Oral Health Long Beach is funded through a grant from the California Public Health Department from revenue raised through the California Healthcare Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act (Proposition 56). The Brush, Book, Bed campaign was adopted from the American Academy of Pediatrics, who invite all similar focused agencies to join them in the effort.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Long Beach Health Department is available at longbeach.gov/health and on Instagram, Facebook and X.