National Children's Dental Health Month

By: Ashleigh

February is National Children's Dental Health Month.  NCDHM is sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA) and helps to bring awareness about the importance of oral health care.

How It Began

From a one-day event in Cleveland, OH and a one-week event in Akron, OH in 1941, the concept of promoting children's dental care has grown to be a month-long observance nationwide!  The ADA held its first national observance on February 8, 1949.  By 1981, the program became a month-long celebration known as National Children's Dental Health Month.

Local observances often include posters, coloring or essay contests, health fairs, free dental health screenings, dental office tours and much more!  It is important to establish good attitudes and habits at an early age for lifelong healthy, beautiful smiles!

How It's Celebrated

Dental offices around the United States celebrate in many different ways.  Sometimes it is as simple as letting patients know or offering tips to parents, or offering free dental screenings for children under a certain age.  There are also dental teams that volunteer their time to provide a day to do exams, cleanings and small restorations to children that normally do not receive dental care.  It takes a lot of preparation to hold one of these big events!

Give Kids a Smile Day

In 2003, the American Dental Association began the Give Kids a Smile program.  Dentists around the country sign up in early October.  Some of those dentists will receive donated products (like children's toothbrushes and toothpaste) to help put on their event.  This year 7,912 dentists and over 25,000 volunteers will be participating in Give Kids a Smile Day.  The national kickoff will be held at the University of Arizona on February 6th.  It is estimated that over 32,000 children will receive screenings, treatment and education from the volunteers around the country this month.

This year's theme is "Defeat Monster Mouth."

Be sure that you and your children are defeating Monster Mouth by 
Brushing 2 times a day for 2 minutes each time!


Other Ways to Defeat Monster Mouth:

Snack on healthy, low-sugar foods
Drink water rather than juice and soda
Visit a dentist two times a year

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How We are Celebrating

We will posting tips, pictures, and other things this month on our Facebook page.  If you have not already, be sure "Like" us to see those posts in your News Feed!  Dr. Jones is visiting an elementary school to talk with the first graders about the importance of oral health and what they can do to stay cavity free.  All of our cavity-free kids will go home with a certificate as well as their treasure from the hidden treasure chest!  Finally, all patients ages 5 and under that come in will for a dental cleaning will receive a free dental exam in February.  This is open for all current and new patients in February 2015.  Please call us at 913-491-0077 to make your child's hygiene visit.

Hope to see those cavity-free smiles soon!


Information found on the American Dental Association website.