Sheriff Tuffy Tooth is "laying down the law" of good dental health at Rolesville Elementary School. On Tuesday, Feb. 26, in honor of Dental Health Month, RAH for Rolesville! (Really Awesome Health) will focus on ways kids can take care of their teeth. Educators from the Poe Center for Education will be teaching kindergartners the importance of brushing their teeth, visiting their dentist twice a year, and eating healthy foods. The 30-minute programs will begin at 12:45p.m. in the Rolesville Elementary School Library.

Educator Durgesh Kudchadkar, says Sheriff Tuffy Tooth is a specially designed, portable, talking tooth used for outreach in dental health. "It's very interactive," says Kudchadkar. "There is time in between what Tuffy says for the kids to respond to what they're learning. We have activities in which the kids can participate, such as helping brush Tuffy's teeth to remove 'Ooey' and 'Gooey', and letting the kids decide which are the right snacks to keep teeth healthy."

Tuffy Tooth actually lights up and comes with larger-than-life tools to help keep teeth clean - a toothbrush, toothpaste, a banana in holster, and a saddlebag with fruit. Funding for Tuffy was made possible by Wake County Smart Start.

Kudchadkar said all the children will receive toothbrushes and a handout on "Keeping Those Teeth Pearly White." Poe Center educators are also teaching first and second-graders the importance of good dental hygiene.

RAH (Really Awesome Health) is a partner ship between Rolesville Elementary School, Raleigh Community Hospital and the Poe Center for Health Education. RAH puts professionally trained educators in the classroom to give kids a hands-on learning experience. The goal of this program is to help prevent illness and develop life-long health habits.