National Children’s Dental Health Month turns 60 this year

February is National Children's Dental Health Month.

The month-long celebration brings together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, health care providers, and others to promote the benefits of good oral health to children and adults, caregivers and teachers.

Each February since 1949, the American Dental Association has sponsored NCDHM to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. NCDHM materials have reached millions of people in communities across the country with the message that developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

The 2009 campaign features the continuing adventures of the Tough Tooth Team. A double-sided poster features the Team springing into action to achieve maximum smile power with the slogan “Turn Up Your Smile Power!” Posters are available in English and Spanish and can be downloaded at no cost by visiting “www.ada.org/public/events/ncdhm/index.asp”.

Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, the ADA has free online resources that can help you with oral health presentations, ideas for the classroom, and activity sheets that can be used as handouts. Among the fun resources available online are word jumbles, puzzles, cool coloring sheets and a “smile calendar.”

To learn more about National Children’s Dental Health Month, visit the ADA Web site at “www.ada.org/public/events/ncdhm/index.asp”.

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©2009 American Dental Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction or republication is strictly prohibited without the prior written permission from the American Dental Association.

1/26/09