Hurricane Helene: Public Health Department Closures

Latest updates: Hurricane Helene

Our public health departments' hours of operation may be affected by power and staffing outages. This means that some closures may not appear on the state government office delays and closings map. The health and safety of our employees and our clients remains our highest priority. We are working to get services restored as safely and quickly as possible.

Learn more about DPH's role with hurricanes, floods, and weather emergencies.

Flora and Floppy Go to the Dentist

"Flora and Floppy go to the Dentist" is a 20 minute interactive puppet show for children ages 3-8. This unique initiative was created as a result of an American Dental Association (ADA) grant that funded the theater to create a traveling puppet show.

The show debuted in the fall of 2008 to over 300 kids at a "Back to School Bash" held at the S.C. State Fairgrounds. As of 2023, the show has been seen by more than 104,000 children at schools and Head Start Centers across the state.

"The show is a great way to reach children across the state with oral health messages while they are being entertained. The value of this approach is that children learn key concepts about taking care of their mouths and teeth without even realizing that they are learning!"

Some of the messages highlighted in the show include:

  • Brushing and flossing teeth
  • Going to the dentist
  • Getting dental sealants
  • Eating healthy foods and limiting sugary foods and drinks
  • Drinking fluoridated water


View the promotional video below to learn about bringing Flora and Floppy to come visit your school:


The Columbia Marionette Theater is currently accepting requests for shows. The performances are designed for large groups of students. The cost of the show is $300 for locations within a 40-mile radius of Columbia. Add $25 for each 40 miles of travel outside of Columbia.

For more information on scheduling a show, contact the theater directly at (803) 252-7366.

Downloadable Resources