New Film Taking Dental Industry by Storm

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Daily brushing and flossing without any nagging from mom and dad? An engaging short film geared toward tweens is making that parental dream a reality. CROOKED, now available on DVD, is the fun, lighthearted tale of Samantha, a 12-year-old girl obsessed with losing her last (crooked) baby tooth in order to obtain the perfect smile…and win the heart of the new boy at school.

Throughout the film, witty Samantha provides subtle but constant encouragement to make brushing and flossing a daily habit—she brushes after lunch at school, and happily visits the dentist. And although its goal is dental hygiene education, CROOKED strikes a perfect balance of information and pure tween entertainment.

The idea for CROOKED was conceived when a man who had experienced serious health problems related to a lack of proper flossing approached noted Florida filmmaker Todd Thompson and his Orlando-based production company, Stars North. His hope was that Thompson could create an entertaining and educational film that would teach the importance of dental health to young audiences, helping to develop the important habit at an early age.

The result is a 17-minute film that really packs a punch in the brushing and flossing department.  CROOKED stars Kendall Ganey (The Little Princess, Ace Ventura Pet Detective), Bo Mitchell (October Road, Eastbound and Down) and introduces Sarah Grace Ackerman and Justin Garcia.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and keeping teeth and gums in good shape from childhood directly affects overall health throughout a lifetime. CROOKED is a helpful resource for parents, teachers and dentists to encourage tweens to develop healthy habits.

Steven Tinsworth, D.M.D. and executive producer of CROOKED, says that the film's fun brushing and flossing message "really resonates with young people, and that helps get them into the habit of taking care of their teeth. After all, kids who form good habits now grow into adults with healthy teeth."

Featured in the 2011 American Dental Association® Catalog, CROOKED retails for $14.95 and is available online at www.dentalmovie.org or www.amazon.com.

A percentage of sales from the film is donated to National Children's Oral Health Foundation: America's Toothfairy®, a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering oral healthcare to underserved children. For more information, please visit www.ncohf.org.

SOURCE Stars North