Myra Nikitas (left) and Mary Duquette, co-founders of Traveling Tooth Fairies, were named July's Granite Staters of the Month. Courtesy photo

NASHUA – Myra Nikitas of Nashua and Mary Duquette of Hopkinton were recently honored by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) as July’s Granite Staters of the Month.

Last year, Nikitas and Duquette founded Traveling Tooth Fairies, a nonprofit organization providing dental care to Nashua’s children.

Four years ago, the results of a public health dental screening showed that Nashua had one of the highest rates of tooth decay in the state. In response, Nikitas and Duquette, who are both certified public health hygienists, offered their services to a cavity prevention program.

However, funding for the program ultimately ran out and the pair were compelled to launch their own organization.

During the school year, Nikitas and Duquette travel throughout the district providing complementary cavity prevention treatment. In addition, Traveling Tooth Fairies does not deny dental care to any child. The cost of treatment is covered by either grant funding or New Hampshire Medicaid.

“Mary and Myra are working to ensure that all children in Nashua who need dental care are able to get it,” said Hassan, adding that the pair have worked in dentistry for more than 20 years. “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. 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.”

Duquette is a former president of the New Hampshire Dental Hygienists’ Association and is a member of the Dental Hygienists’ Committee of the New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners.

Nikitas also served as president of the New Hampshire Dental Hygienists’ Association and was the chairwoman of the Dental Hygienists’ Committee.