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Two Black Women Healthcare Leaders Partner to Promote New Children’s Book About Oral Health Disparities

Nationwide — Celebrity Branding LLC proudly announces the nationwide launch of The Adventures of Liz and Abe: Visit to the Dentist. Written by Anthea “Nurse Noel” Noel and featuring nationally recognized celebrity dentist Dr. Catrise Austin, the book addresses the urgent issue of childhood oral health disparities while empowering families with prevention-focused education rooted in cultural representation and clinical expertise.

The timing is critical. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 50% of children ages 6–8 have experienced cavities in their baby teeth, making tooth decay the most common chronic childhood disease in the United States. Children in Black and underserved communities are disproportionately affected by untreated dental decay, increasing risks for pain, infection, missed school days, and long-term systemic health complications.

Recently recognized by Hello Beautiful as one of its “11 Children’s Books to Help Teach Your Little One Black History,” the book merges literacy, representation, and preventive healthcare messaging for children ages 4–7.

“This book was created to normalize preventive healthcare conversations at home,” says Nurse Noel. “Healthy habits in children transfer to healthy habits in adults. If we don’t teach prevention early, we often end up treating avoidable disease later.”

Nurse Noel recalls a defining moment early in her nursing career while working in a Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. On her first day, she cared for a 40-year-old man undergoing open-heart surgery. She was stunned to learn that complications associated with poor oral hygiene had contributed to his severe cardiovascular condition.

“I was floored,” she shares. “I didn’t realize how closely oral health and heart health were connected. That experience reinforced for me that prevention must start in childhood — because what we ignore early can become life-threatening later.”

Medical research continues to demonstrate associations between periodontal disease and increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, and systemic inflammation. Oral bacteria from untreated infections can enter the bloodstream, contributing to broader health conditions.

Dr. Catrise Austin, founder of VIP Smiles and host of the Let’s Talk Smiles Podcast, began her dental career as a school dentist with New York’s Health and Hospitals Corporation serving underserved communities — an experience that shaped her prevention-first mission.

“Oral health is directly connected to total wellness,” says Dr. Austin. “When children suffer from untreated cavities, it impacts their nutrition, speech development, sleep quality, and academic performance. Prevention is more powerful than treatment. Education changes outcomes.”

This initiative is positioned as a joint impact campaign uniting healthcare expertise, media influence, and culturally responsive education — amplifying a prevention-first message that extends beyond a book launch and positioning both authors as leading voices in pediatric health education and health equity.

Why This Matters to Parents and Educators

Poor oral health in children has been linked to:

• Difficulty concentrating in school
• Lower academic performance
• Nutritional challenges
• Sleep disruption
• Increased risk of chronic systemic disease later in life

By combining storytelling with evidence-based health guidance, The Adventures of Liz and Abe: Visit to the Dentist serves as both an educational resource and a preventive health tool for families.

5 Daily Oral Care Tips for Kids

• Brush twice daily for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste
• Begin flossing once teeth touch
• Limit sugary snacks and beverages
• Drink water throughout the day
• Replace toothbrushes every 3–4 months

Tips for a Positive Dental Visit

• Schedule the first dental visit by age one
• Maintain routine six-month checkups
• Use positive language about the dentist
• Read books about dental visits beforehand
• Choose a dentist experienced in pediatric care

Parents are encouraged to join the VIP Smiles 7-Day Healthy Mouth Challenge at www.vipsmiles.com/challenge

The Adventures of Liz and Abe: Visit to the Dentist is available nationwide on Amazon.

Now Booking Speaking Engagements Nationwide

Nurse Noel and Dr. Catrise Austin are available for keynotes, school assemblies, healthcare conferences, corporate wellness programs, and community forums on topics including:

• How to Prevent Childhood Cavities: A Parent’s Guide to Pediatric Oral Health and Total Wellness
• Addressing Oral Health Disparities in Black and Underserved Communities
• Children’s Oral Health and Academic Success: Why Prevention Matters More Than Treatment

Their presentations combine clinical expertise, frontline healthcare experience, media authority, and culturally relevant storytelling to deliver actionable strategies that improve health outcomes and inspire lasting behavioral change.

For media interviews, speaking engagements, and booking inquiries, contact
draustin@celebritybrandingusa.com

About Anthea “Nurse Noel” Noel
Anthea “Nurse Noel” Noel is a Registered Nurse with more than 25 years of clinical experience and over two decades of media and entertainment industry expertise. She has appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, CNN, Fox News, SiriusXM, and iHeartMedia, becoming a trusted voice at the intersection of wellness, equity, and culture. As the founder of Noel Health Solutions, she develops custom health programming focused on prevention and health equity. She continues to serve in an ICU in the New York metro area and is the author of The Adventures of Liz and Abe children’s book series.

About Dr. Catrise Austin
Dr. Catrise Austin is a nationally recognized cosmetic dentist, founder of VIP Smiles, and host of the Let’s Talk Smiles Podcast. She began her dental career as a school dentist with New York’s Health and Hospitals Corporation, serving underserved communities. Dr. Austin is a media expert and speaker dedicated to advancing pediatric oral health, prevention education, and the connection between oral health and total wellness.

About Celebrity Branding LLC
Celebrity Branding LLC is a strategic media and brand positioning firm dedicated to amplifying influential voices in healthcare, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Through publishing initiatives, media placements, and strategic partnerships, the company elevates experts into nationally recognized authorities while driving impact-focused campaigns that serve communities nationwide.

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