National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, Georgetown University

Bright Futures Toolbox

Childen, Adolescents, and Families

•	Find a Dentist
•	Materials and Links for Children and Adolescents
•	Materials and Links for Parents
•	Non-English-Language Materials

Find a Dentist

Academy of General Dentistry: (877) 292-9327 (2x-a-Year)

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

American Dental Association

National Dental Association

Finding Low-Cost Dental Care, a resource from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Materials for Children and Adolescents

Care of Teeth
National Center for Farmworker Health
This handout explains toothbrushing, flossing, and oral home care with illustrations and brief text.

Fun Dental-Related Activities for Students
San Diego County Dental Disease Prevention Program
This site provides activities for students such as craft projects, puzzles, stories to color and assemble, and a songbook.

Going to the Dentist
Channing Bete Company
This coloring and activity book helps children understand how to keep their teeth healthy and what they can expect at the dentist. Available for purchase; bulk discounts are available.

Milk Matters with Buddy Brush
National Institute for Child Heath and Human Development
This coloring book helps children ages 4–8 understand the importance of eating calcium-rich foods for strong teeth and a healthy mouth.

National Children's Dental Health Month
American Dental Association
These coloring and activity sheets can be used as handouts in classrooms. Classroom ideas and resources for teachers (preschool through high school) and child care providers are also available.

Ride the Healthy Teeth Trail
Illinois Department of Public Health
This coloring book for young children stresses the importance of good nutrition, brushing and flossing, and regular visits to a dentist and dental hygienist.

Snack Smart for Healthy Teeth
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
This brochure for children and adolescents ages 10–12 describes the tooth decay process and how some foods might contribute to the development of tooth decay. The brochure lists a variety of healthy foods from different food groups.

Sports Safety
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
This brochure focuses on the safety equipment used to prevent injury to the mouth and face.

We Wonder: We Have Healthy Teeth
Channing Bete Company
This workbook promotes good oral health to young children through a variety of activities, colorful pictures, and text. Topics include oral hygiene, what to expect when visiting the dentist, and healthy food choices. Available for purchase; bulk discounts are available.

Wisdom Teeth
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
This brochure explains what wisdom teeth are, what complications can arise from them, and what happens when oral surgeons need to remove them.

Links for Children and Adolescents

Dental Health Library
Delta Dental

Healthy Kids Coloring Pages
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Washington State

Kids Corner
Kansas Department of Health and Environment Oral Health Initiative

Kids Stuff
American Dental Hygienists' Association

Life Stages: Children
American Dental Association

Milk Matters for Kids and Teens
National Institute for Child Heath and Human Development

Mouthpower
National Museum of Dentistry

Simple Steps to Better Dental Health
Aetna Dental Plans

SmileKids
Delta Dental

Taking Care of Your Teeth
KidsHealth from the Nemours Foundation

Materials for Parents

A Healthy Mouth for Your Baby
National Institute of Dental Research
This brochure for parents of infants and young children highlights the importance of using fluoride to protect teeth, cleaning the infant's or child's teeth, and preventing early childhood caries (ECC).

Brush Up on Healthy Teeth
Florida Department of Health, Public Health Dental Program
This illustrated fact sheet includes oral health tips and a true-or-false quiz for parents with six questions on oral health habits and the importance of early oral health care. Topics include cleaning teeth when the first tooth erupts, using the right amount of fluoridated toothpaste, parental supervision of toothbrushing, and talking to the dentist about fluoride needs.

Brush Up on Healthy Teeth: Simple Steps for Kids' Smiles
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
This information package contains materials on oral health tips to help parents take care of their children’s teeth and to teach good oral health habits. The package includes a press release, flyer, poster, and parent quiz.

Fact Sheets for Families
California Childcare Health Program
These fact sheets for families cover a wide range of health and safety issues. They are written in easy-to-understand language and are tailored to the perspectives of families. They are designed to be distributed to families directly by child care providers. The fact sheets are available in English and Spanish.

First Aid
Indiana State Department of Health, Oral Health Program
This electronic reference tool is intended for use by the general public in treating minor dental emergencies in children. Information about primary and permanent tooth eruption is also provided.

Fluoridated Water: Questions and Answers
National Cancer Institute
This Web-based, public education fact sheet presents key points and facts about fluoridated community water in a question-and-answer format. A brief list of selected references is included.

Fluoride Varnish: An Alternative to Traditional Topical Fluoride Therapy
Southwest (Idaho) District Health
This brochure for parents and other caregivers describes ECC and provides tips on how to reduce the risk for young children. Tips cover using a bottle at bedtime, when to begin using a cup, scheduling the first dental visit, reducing sugar consumption, cleaning the mouth and teeth daily, and using fluoride supplements. Answers to commonly asked questions about fluoride varnish treatment are provided. The brochure is also available in Spanish.

For Pregnant Moms and New Parents
Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures
This series of four illustrated, color brochures outlines key oral health messages for pregnant women and new parents to use as a reference during each of the following life stages: prenatal, from birth to 6 months, ages 6–18 months, and ages 18–24 months. Recommendations for pregnant women cover brushing and flossing, diet, calcium intake, and dental and prenatal care. Recommendations for infants and young children cover the prevention of ECC, fluoride, bottle feeding, and snacking. Each of the brochures is available in English and Spanish.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Health
National Women's Health Information Center
This document provides answers to frequently asked questions about women's oral health, including how oral health and overall health are connected, common oral health problems, special concerns during the prenatal and postnatal periods, and tips for a whiter and healthier smile. Information on infant oral health is also included.

Healthy Teeth Begin at Birth
First5 Oral Health
This brochure for parents explains the importance of “baby teeth” and how early oral health care should begin. Tips are provided for parents about oral health care before and after teeth appear, the importance of visiting the dentist before age 1, and the role of fluoride and healthy nutrition habits.

Healthy Teeth for Happy Smiles: Oral Health Tips for Parents and Caregivers
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
This brochure provides expecting and new parents with an overview of facts pertaining to the oral health of their infants and children. It includes information on primary teeth, ECC, nutrition, fluoride, dental sealants, teething, and ways to care for teeth at various stages as the child matures.

Nature's Way to Prevent Tooth Decay: Water Fluoridation
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Oral Health
This brochure explains the benefits of community water fluoridation. Contents include statements from the American Dental Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Surgeon General; information on the safety, benefits, and cost-effectivenes of community water fluoridation; and key points.

Oral Health Fact Sheets for Consumers
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
This set of oral health fact sheets contains information on ECC, dental amalgam, dental sealants, dietary fluoride supplements, water fluoridation, fluorosis, primary and permanent tooth development, oral cancer, and smokeless tobacco.

Rx for Sound Teeth—Plaque: What It Is and How to Get Rid of It
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
This brochure shows how to brush and floss.

Seal Out Tooth Decay: A Booklet for Parents
National Institutes of Health
This brochure for parents of children and adolescents ages 6–14 explains what dental sealants are and why they are important for protecting teeth from decay. The brochure also includes a step-by-step description (with pictures) of how dental sealants are applied.

Tasty Treats for Teeth: "Tooth-Friendly" Snacks for Children
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
This cookbook for parents of young children provides tips and recipes for healthy snacks. Topics include planning grocery lists and menus, eating from the food pyramid, everything in moderation, the importance of food types and timing, having fun and sharing with snacks, and tips on preventing choking.

Want Some Life Saving Advice? Ask Your Dental Hygienist About Proper Oral Health Care for Children
American Dental Hygienists' Association
This fact sheet is for parents of infants, children, and adolescents. It discusses good oral hygiene routines and emphasizes the dental hygienist as a resource for promoting, establishing, and maintaining oral health throughout life.

You and Your Teeth: The ABCs of Oral Hygiene
Channing Bete Company
This booklet provides tips to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Available for purchase; bulk discounts are available.