WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Mary Duquette of Hopkinton and Myra Nikitas of Nashua as July’s Granite Staters of the Month. Mary and Myra founded Traveling Tooth Fairies, a nonprofit that provides dental care to children in Nashua.
In 2021, a public health dental screening identified Nashua as one of the areas with the highest level of tooth decay in New Hampshire. Mary and Myra, both certified public health hygienists, joined an existing cavity prevention program in the area to tackle oral health, and when funding ran out for the program, the pair applied for grants to launch their own organization named Traveling Tooth Fairies.
Mary and Myra visit Nashua schools during the academic year to provide free cavity prevention treatments to students. In keeping with its mission of closing the dental care gap, Traveling Tooth Fairies does not deny anyone care.
Mary and Myra’s dedication to keeping children healthy is an inspiring example of the Granite State spirit of going above and beyond to help your neighbors. Their commitment to their community is why Senator Hassan named them July’s Granite Staters of the Month.
Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here.
To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below.
I am honored to recognize Mary Duquette of Hopkinton and Myra Nikitas of Nashua as July’s Granite Staters of the Month. Mary and Myra are working to ensure that all children in Nashua who need dental care are able to get it.
Mary and Myra have both worked in the dental field for more than 20 years and are certified public health dental hygienists. In 2021, when Mary was working for the State of New Hampshire’s oral health program, a program that performed dental screenings for third graders in New Hampshire identified Nashua as one of the areas with the highest levels of tooth decay in the state. Mary and Myra joined an existing cavity prevention program but when funding for that program ran out, they wanted to continue providing services. They took action, applied for grants themselves, and launched their nonprofit, Traveling Tooth Fairies.
Traveling Tooth Fairies’ goal is to close the dental care gap. During the school year, Mary and Myra visit schools throughout the Nashua area, helping provide cavity prevention care to any child with a signed permission slip, regardless of their insurance status. Treatment is free for patients, paid for through either grant funding or through New Hampshire Medicaid if the child is eligible and enrolled. In addition to removing financial barriers, providing care directly at schools removes another critical barrier – the need for parents to take time off from work to take their child to the dentist. Traveling Tooth Fairies doesn’t deny anyone care, and if a family contacts them asking for help outside of school, Mary and Myra will work with them to get their child treatment. Traveling Tooth Fairies also attend community events and treat families in shelters.
Mary and Myra’s dedication to keeping children healthy is an inspiring example of the Granite State spirit of going above and beyond to help your neighbors. Their commitment to their community is why I am proud to name them July’s Granite Staters of the Month.
###