Cherokee Health Systems to Expand its Brush, Book, Bed Program for Pediatric Patients
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Cherokee Health Systems (CHS) is expanding its Brush, Book, Bed program to reach more rural and urban communities in East Tennessee. The program, which started as a partnership between CHS and Friends of Literacy (FOL) in June 2023, provides resource bags to CHS’ pediatric patients, ages six months to 12 years, after every checkup. The bags are filled with a toothbrush, toothpaste, a book and health education handouts for the child’s parent or guardian. CHS is pleased to announce that they recently received a donation of over 7,000 brush kits from Delta Dental of Tennessee’s Smile 180 Foundation, allowing the organization to offer the program at five additional health centers.
“The Smile 180 Foundation is proud to partner with Cherokee Health and Friends of Literacy to help expand this program in the East Tennessee region. Getting parents and children together at bedtime for the simple routine of brushing teeth and reading a book at a regular time can help build a lifetime of healthy habits,” said Dr. Phil Wenk, executive director and chief executive officer of the Smile180 Foundation.
The program has been implemented at CHS’ Alcoa, Center City and Cherokee Mills Health Centers. The new brush kits will allow CHS to provide toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss to its Lenoir City, Lonsdale, Seymour, Talbott and Washburn health centers, along with other learning materials. Online data shows the poverty rate surrounding these five health centers ranges from about 12% to 17%. CHS’ Brush, Book, Bed program aims to give children the tools they need to take care of their health and build a healthy learning foundation for years to come.
“This program would not be a success without the work of our community partners, including Delta Dental, Smile 180 and Friends of Literacy. Patients and families often tell me they do not have toothbrushes for their children or did not realize the importance of brushing regularly until they were given supplies in our office,” said CHS’ Hannah Smith, pediatric nurse practitioner.
The Brush, Book, Bed program is successfully encouraging a foundation of learning in children. Since the program started, over 4,000 books have been donated to children, six months to five years, by FOL, a literacy resource for adults, children and families in East Tennessee.
“Friends of Literacy's partnership with Cherokee for Brush, Book, Bed is one of our most impactful programs. It improves overall health and wellbeing for young children and helps them develop the preliteracy skills needed to be kindergarten ready. We value the Cherokee team members who make this program happen and who share our commitment to eliminating reading disparities for low-income children,” said FOL’s Teresa Brittain, executive director.
CHS hopes to eventually offer this program at all 19 health centers. To learn more about CHS, please visit www.cherokeehealth.com.
Data source: Transparent Tennessee: OpenECD | TNECD Performance Metrics | Distressed Counties
About Cherokee Health Systems Since 1960, CHS has been committed to ensuring Tennesseans receive access to effective, high-quality care. CHS is a Federally Qualified Health Center that serves nearly 70,000 people annually. We offer a wide array of comprehensive health services, including primary care, behavioral health, optometry, dental and pharmacy. All of our services are available to children, adults and seniors on an ability to pay basis. CHS is a TennCare (Medicaid) and Medicare provider. In addition, CHS accepts commercial insurance for payment.
