Traveling Tooth Fairies

At Traveling Tooth Fairies, we believe that healthy smiles lead to brighter futures. Because happy teeth mean happy kids!

OUR MISSION

The mission of Traveling Tooth Fairies is to provide essential dental care and education at no cost to students in grades K-8 in Nashua. We are committed to ensuring that every child has access to crucial oral health services. By delivering evidence-based treatments such as screenings, guided tooth brushing, sealants, protective restorations, and fluoride applications directly in schools, we aim to remove barriers to care and create a supportive environment for children’s health and learning.

Our program works closely with families and educators to instill lifelong dental health habits. We strive to complement the care children receive from their regular dental providers and assist families in establishing a dental home when needed. By offering mobile dental services within schools, we minimize educational disruptions, making dental care accessible and stress-free.

Supported by community partners, including Northeast Delta Dental, the Department of Health and Human Services, the State of NH, Lyons Club, and local organizations, we are dedicated to improving oral health outcomes and enhancing children’s overall well-being. Our efforts underscore the importance of a healthy smile in a child’s ability to eat, speak, and succeed in school. We invite parents, educators, and community members to join us in fostering a healthier future for our children.

TOOTH FAIRIES

Mary Duquette, CEO, RDH, BS, CPHDH, Notary Public

Mary Duquette is passionately committed to providing care to underprivileged individuals, earning recognition for her compassion and empathy. With over 25 years of experience in the dental field, Mary began her career in both periodontal and general dentistry practices. Throughout her career, she consistently volunteered her time at clinics serving underprivileged populations, which fueled her enthusiasm and passion for public health.

Mary's dedication led her to work for the Oral Health Program for the State of NH, where she collaborated with various organizations to support community-based and school-based programs. She further enhanced her skills by completing her certification as a Public Health Dental Hygienist. Her commitment to advancing oral health care is demonstrated through her active involvement in various initiatives aimed at improving access to dental services for underserved communities.

Her leadership roles include serving as President of the N.H. Dental Hygienists’ Association, and she currently sits on the Dental Hygienists’ Committee under the N.H. Board of Dental Examiners. In these capacities, Mary has been instrumental in advocating for the dental hygiene profession and promoting policies that enhance public health.

In her spare time, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and friends and engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, skiing, and gardening. She volunteers her time with numerous charitable organizations and serves on the Merrimack County 4H. Her love for helping others is always evident, whether she's organizing community events or participating in local outreach programs.

Mary is also the co-founder of Traveling Tooth Fairies, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. This school-based cavity prevention program offers free dental care and referrals to Nashua elementary and middle school students. Traveling Tooth Fairies was established to continue the federally funded Sealing Smiles Across NH cavity prevention pilot program that ended in June 2024. Through this initiative, Mary and her business partner, Myra Nikitas, will continue to make a significant impact on the oral health of countless children, ensuring they receive the care they need to thrive.

CONTACT MARY:

(E) mary@travelingtoothfairies.org

Myra Nikitas, Director, RDH, CPHDH, Justice of the Peace

Myra is a dedicated professional with a deep commitment to providing care to underprivileged individuals, and her passion and empathy are widely recognized. With over 20 years in the dental field, Myra began her career as a dental assistant, quickly developing a strong enthusiasm for oral health care. She went on to pursue a degree in dental hygiene, graduating from NHTI Concord in 2005.

Her commitment to advancing her skills led her to earn certifications in Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide Administration and Monitoring in 2010, also from NHTI Concord.

For 15 years, Myra worked in private practice, but her passion for community service never wavered. During this time, she volunteered at the Greater Nashua Dental Connection, offering free dental preventive services to school-aged children. She also served as a member of the organization’s Board of Directors. In 2019, Myra earned her Certified Public Health Certification from NHTI Concord and transitioned to a full-time role at The Greater Nashua Dental Connection as a public health dental hygienist. Over three years, she made a significant impact in the community by providing essential dental care.

Myra’s leadership in the field extends to her involvement with professional organizations. She served as President of the New Hampshire Dental Hygienists’ Association and Chair of the Dental Hygienists' Committee under the New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners from 2019 to 2022.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Myra is dedicated to giving back. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and volunteers her time providing Reiki therapy to oncology patients at Southern NH Medical Center. Myra is also a co-founder of Traveling Tooth Fairies, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers free dental care and referrals to elementary and middle school students in Nashua. Traveling Tooth Fairies was established to continue the federally funded Sealing Smiles Across NH program, which focuses on school-based cavity prevention. Through this initiative, Myra and her business partner, Mary Duquette, continue to make a profound difference in the oral health and well-being of children, ensuring they have access to the care they need to thrive.

CONTACT MYRA:

(E) myra@travelingtoothfairies.org

TESTIMONIALS

"The Traveling Tooth Fairies are invaluable to our students in Nashua, NH. We don't have fluoride in our water, and we face a high rate of cavities among our youth. Many families lack dental insurance, and this dental prevention program is essential in providing care to children in need without disrupting their school day. Myra and her team are always responsive and quick to assist when a student has a toothache, often seeing them within a day and either treating them or referring them to a dentist who can help. Tooth pain is unbearable, and the Traveling Tooth Fairies truly make a difference by easing the students' discomfort so quickly. They have made an enormous impact on our community by providing accessible dental care to those who might otherwise go without. As a school nurse, I am deeply grateful for their commitment to serving our community, especially our most vulnerable students." — Jocelyn Kudla, BA, BSN, RN, Nashua School District, School Nurse

"I am beyond grateful to Traveling Tooth Fairies – Sealing Smiles for the exceptional services they provide to children in need. Their dedication to supporting families and ensuring access to vital dental care is truly remarkable. I am especially thankful for the recent services they offered to children at our center. The positive difference they've made in the lives of our kids and their families is profound. Programs like this are not just beneficial, they are essential. They address urgent dental health needs and contribute to long-term wellness within the community. It is vital to keep programs like this running to continue helping the children and families who rely on these resources. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. You are making a lasting and positive impact every day!" — Diana Marshall, Bi-Lingual Family Worker, Community Action Partnership, Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties

"As a parent, I want to thank Traveling Tooth Fairies / Sealing Smiles for the amazing services they provided to my child. The team was kind, professional, and made the entire experience easy and stress-free. This program has been incredibly helpful for my child’s dental health. It gave us access to the care we truly needed and knowing that my child is receiving the support they deserve means so much to me. Thank you to this incredible team for all that you do for our children and families. You truly make a difference!" — Parent

"I have to thank you all. Everything went well, thank God! They extracted her tooth with all the care, patience, and professionalism. What a blessing we are receiving!"— Mariana Rodrigues, Portuguese Family Coordinator

"Mathias's mom wanted me to tell you that she and Mati are extremely happy and grateful for all the dental work you provided him with yesterday. His smile is even bigger today, showing off those cute teeth and being pain-free. It's priceless. She sends you blessings, love, and gratitude, and as for me, I can’t even find the words to express my appreciation for everything you have done to support this mom and our sweet student. 😊Thank you so very much again!"— Laura Melendez, Family Engagement Coordinator

"My name is Alison Bennett, and I am the School Outreach Counselor at Pennichuck Middle School in Nashua, NH. We are a large school of about 775 students, with over half of our families receiving free or reduced lunch. We are lucky to have been selected by Sealing Smiles Across NH as one of their sites for free dental services for our students. The work this incredible organization does for our students is truly remarkable. I understand DHHS may be considering financial support in the future, and I wanted to express how impactful that would be to our students in Nashua.

We had Myra (the incredible Tooth Fairy) here this week at Pennichuck, and it has been incredible. Her team is providing oral care to our students, many of whom would not have access to preventative and corrective dental care otherwise.

An extra bonus is the dental technician Jen, who speaks Spanish. I watched as students who initially entered nervously immediately felt better when they learned they could communicate in their primary language comfortably. What an incredible outreach for these students in particular.

As an outreach counselor, these events are the highlight of my job, and I appreciate Sealing Smiles so much.

Thank you for considering this nonprofit in your dedication to supporting the needs of our community.

Myra and her team are extraordinary."— Alison Bennett, School Outreach Counselor Pennichuck Middle School