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CJ McCollum and wife promote dental health at preschool [1]
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Date: 2025-04-15
New Orleans Pelicans star CJ McCollum and his wife Elise McCollum, a pediatric dentist, appeared at a New Orleans East preschool on Tuesday (April 15) to promote dental health.
The event was part of an effort by the Manning Family Children’s Hospital and Agenda for Children to improve young people’s wellness by teaching them healthy habits at an early age.
The McCollums introduced students at the Preschool Learning Center, on Hayne Boulevard, to proper brushing and flossing techniques. CJ McCollum read to the kids and Elise McCollum provided dental screenings and varnishing.
“I like making teeth with the apples and the marshmallows and the peanut butter,” Preschool Learning Center student Celine Brown, age, said. “I really liked asking the dentist questions.”
Elise McCollum spoke about her passion for teaching kids about the importance of proper dental hygiene and the risks that they face if they neglect that aspect of their health.
PHOTOS: Preschoolers learn about dental hygiene from CJ and Elise McCollum
Khloe Lilly, left, brushes Jacqueline Juneau dressed as a tooth at the Preschool Learning Center on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Manning Family Children’s Hospital CEO Lou Fragoso talks to Hailey Feltus and Dylan Hardy during a tour of classrooms at the Preschool Learning Center on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
“Some of our children now have gotten the support that they need,” said Lekenja Smothers (pictured here), executive director of the Preschool Learning Center on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. “The partnership and the benefits from the program are absolutely amazing.” Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Jen Roberts (center), Agenda for Children CEO, talks to Xa’Norah Collins, left, and Ava Davis at the Preschool Learning Center on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Lailani Randall, left, and A’aliyah Prevost during an activity at the Preschool Learning Center on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Celina Brown, Lee Williams and Jaylynn Wells (left to right) at the Preschool Learning Center on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Elise McCollum reads to Celina Brown, Jaylynn Wells, Madison Domino, Cylei Gardiner and Prince Trepagnier (left to right) at the Preschool Learning Center on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
“If you really want to help change the health of a generation, you got to go out in the community,” Lou Fragoso, CEO of Manning Family Children’s Hospital, said (shown here sitting with Jaylynn Wells). “And that’s what this partnership is all about.” Fragoso is pictured next to Jaylynn Wells at the Preschool Learning Center on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Students Madison Domino, left, and Celina Brown received dental screenings and oral hygiene supplies during the event at the Preschool Learning Center on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Elise McCollum (left) performs a dental screening for Cylei Gardiner during the event at the Preschool Learning Center on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
From left to right, Madison Domino, Dwana Smothers and Prince Trepagnier at the Preschool Learning Center on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
Celina Brown holds the hand of Lynette Crayton, a teacher, hand as they exit the Preschool Learning Center on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Credit: John Gray / Verite News
“[Dental] caries are the number one childhood disease, and they can be prevented if we just take the proper precautions and do the correct things,” McCollum said. “And so just raising awareness and promoting education is extremely important to us, and we’re very grateful to be able to do it here today.”
The Pelicans guard told Verite that he was happy to give back to the community and children living in New Orleans East.
“A lot of kids who have a bright future just need the right resources around them, just need the right education around them, and this is a place that’s providing them with opportunities, providing the families with opportunities for the kids to learn and grow,” McCollum said.
“I just wanted to be able to give back and contribute and continue to spread the right type of information on the importance of dental hygiene and taking care of yourself.”
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