Clean Teeth
Make Fairies Fly
patient education
Motivating children to brush their teeth can sometimes be a dif-
ficult job but Denise Ditto, author of The Tooth Collector Fairies
series is up to the task. We met up with Denise recently at the
Southwest Dental Conference in Dallas and learned that she
didn’t originally strike out on her writing journey to accomplish
this mission but – she has done
just that. And that’s not all. There
are plenty of other important les-
sons to be learned from her books.
Ditto, a native Texan, is a free-
lance writer who loves writing for
children. Her series begins with
book one which is titled Batina’s
Best First Day (Batina). It is a
behind-the-scenes story about
tooth fairies that gives an inside
look at what their lives are like in
the magical land of Brushelot. The
lessons learned in this book are persistence, friendship and
teamwork. It is also revealed that it is a well-brushed tooth that
makes fairy dust, the very dust that enables tooth fairies to fly.
This message is her subtle way to encouraging children to brush
their teeth – but don’t tell them.
Batina went from page to the stage in Katy, Texas in October
2016 when it was performed as a musical by children at the Katy
Visual and Performing Arts Center (KVPAC). It returned to the
stage in May 2018 and was performed by the C.KIDZ Theatre
School, junior division of the Players Theatre Company at the
Owen Theatre in Conroe, Texas.
Book two in the series titled Home from Decay Valley was
released in 2018. It is a book about consequences, redemption,
sacrifice, and teamwork. It addresses what happens when a
poorly brushed tooth is collected (Hint: the title is Home From
Decay Valley).
When Ditto sits down to talk with someone about The Tooth
Collector Fairies series she says the first question asked is
always, “Why did you write about the tooth fairy?” Her answer
is always the same. “I think the tooth fairy is a very interesting
character who I happen to know quite well.” The first question
is always followed by, “Is there going to be a third book in the
series?” The answer is yes. She is currently formulating the story
line – and accepting ideas so drop her a line. She’d love to hear
from you.
18 HOUSTON DENTISTRY | www.houstondentistrymagazine.com
Ditto spends much of her time attending book signings and fes-
tivals, speaking to small groups, and making appearances at
dental offices and special events to help to spread the word
about dental health and the importance of fairy dust. In addi-
tion, when Ditto is not working on her children’s book series,
she is working with other writers in her community. She is the
Executive Director at Houston Writers House, a position she
shares with her business partner, Rebecca Nolen. She is also an
active member in the Society of Children's Book Writers and
Illustrators and a former (2016-2018) board member for the
American Business Women’s Association - Women of Vision
Express Network (ABWA – Woven) in Kingwood.
Denise Ditto graduated magna cum
laude from the University of Houston -
Downtown with a degree in professional
writing. She has also published several
short stories in various literary maga-
zines and anthologies. Learn more
about Denise at www.toothcollector-
fairies.com.
Come see Denise at 2019 Star of the
South in Booth #327.