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Dentistry museum gets kids excited about teeth

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The National Museum of Dentistry is bringing more students through its doors with a partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 

The goal is to tell kids why taking care of their teeth is important and to open their minds to a career in dentistry.

"We want the kids to realize that they can actually become dentists, dental hygenists, and one day help take care of other people's teeth as well as their own," said Dr. Scott Swank, the museum curator.

On Tuesday, second graders from Samuel F.B. Morse Elementary School visited the museum. They participated in several interactive activities that taught them things like how to take care of their teeth, the dangers of tobacco use and what braces do.

They also got to see George Washington's dentures, a famous articfact made out of hippo ivory. Plus, the museum discussed possible future career paths.

"We're finding that the kids just don't realize that they could be a part of the dental team," Dr. Swank said. "Hopefully through this partnership, we're going to reach more and more children and get them started to thinking sooner about career choices in dentistry and the health field and things like that."

The museum is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's located at 31 S. Greene Street in Baltimore.