Willy Walrus Wows Students at Crockett Elementary School

Everybody learns about dental hygiene

The excited students at Crockett Elementary School got their chance to meet Willy Walrus in person. When Willy and his good friend, Gail Thomason, entered the crowded room, everybody knew they were going to learn a lot and have a great time. And, they were not disappointed,

Gail is the Public Relations Director for Harlingen Family Dentistry that sponsors these regular visits to schools throughout the Valley. She says Willy is one of her best helpers in her program over the years. Together, this dynamic duo provided oral health education and supplies to 9,131 students and teachers in just the past year, 2015.

“The kids love Willy and listen to his helpful suggestions that help promote good dental health in our Rio Grande children,” she said.

Thomason said that every February, Harlingen Family Dentistry recognizes oral health observance during the annual National Children’s Dental Health Month. Gail and Willy team up to remind folks that developing good habits at an early age, such as paying attention to what we eat, proper regular brushing and flossing, and keeping up with your regular dental checkups and cleanings. Willy said, “if children will just learn these good habits, they will carry over to adulthood making for healthy adults. They can avoid all the results of inflammatory diseases found in human beings.”

“This matter is so serious,” added Thomason,” that oral inflammation can even trigger such diseases as: stroke, heart disease, Diabetes, kidney disease dementia and cancer.

Adding to that, U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, Ph.D; M.D., said, When children’s oral health suffers, so does their ability to learn.” That got everybody’s attention.

You might ask, how did Gail and Willy get together? Well, it was this way: The  Willy the Walrus Dental Education Program is the brainchild of Gail Thomason.

She has been associated with the Harlingen Family Dentistry Group since 2000. She came up with the idea of the loveable character and presented it to the owner, Dr. Juan Villarreal. He thought it was great. He said, “sounds good to me–go to it.” He provided the funds to design the suit and gave his support to the project, and “we were off and running.”

“Oh, yes,” she said, “Willy also eases the fears that children may have about visiting the dentist’s office. Many times, she continued, it’s the tools and the unfamiliar environment of the office itself that children fear–not the dentist. Willy is great for easing those fears, too.”

Harlingen Family Dentistry is pleased to present the Willy the Walrus Dental Education Program as a community service to schools, service organizations and church groups. Anyone wishing to talk to Gail or her friend about a presentation, can call (945) 428 5322. One of them will answer.