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OHRC 25 years

February is National Children's Dental Health Month


American Dental Association

The American Dental Association (ADA) observed Children's Dental Health Day for the first time on February 8, 1949. In 1955, this 1-day event was extended to a week, and in 1981 to a month. Today, National Children's Dental Health Month is observed every February and is supported with an ADA campaign.


  • Find ADA resources including the National Children's Dental Health Month program planning guide, outreach materials, and publicity resources that can be used to promote the importance of good oral health to children, their parents and teachers, and others for no charge.

National Children's Dental Health Month Campaign: "Brush, Floss, Smile"

National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center

The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) is federally funded to respond to the needs of professionals working in states and communities, with the goal of improving oral health care for pregnant women, infants, children, and adolescents, including those with special health care needs, and their families (the maternal and child health (MCH) population). 

Use OHRC's website to locate materials in our library, explore topics related to oral health for the MCH population, and share resources for consumers, and resources for professionals. Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter and e-mail discussion lists and contact us for further assistance.

OHRC's activities for this special observance include

Official Healthy People 2030 Champions web badge

Healthy People 2030 Champion

OHRC is pleased to be recognized by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a Healthy People 2030 Champion, having demonstrated a commitment to helping achieve the Healthy People 2030 vision of a society in which all people can realize their full potential for health and well-being across the lifespan.

Office of Head Start

OHRC is a partner in the National Center for Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety funded by the Office of Head Start. The center will present a webinar for Head Start staff to remind children and families about how important oral health is to everyone’s overall health and well-being. Join this webinar in English on Wednesday, February 22, and in Spanish on Thursday, February 23, to find out about four key messages staff can share with families to keep everyone healthy and ready to learn.

Preventive Dental Visits for Children and Adolescents Are Important

Children and adolescents with poor oral health are more likely to have oral pain, miss school, and perform poorly in school than their peers with better oral health. Prevention and early intervention in childhood and adolescence are important because oral health impacts a person's overall health and well-being throughout their life. Early dental visits for children are important because parents can get counseling on oral hygiene, fluoride, injury prevention, and nutrition. Read more in our infographic (also available in Spanish).

images of infographics, Preventive Dental Visits for Children and Adolescents Are Important

Resources for Consumers

Educational materials for consumers in English and other languages are written in an easy-to-read style that is appropriate for all audiences, including those with low literacy levels. Permission statements to download, print, or photocopy appear on each item.

Coronavirus Disease Handouts

These colorful handouts provide clear messages with photos about healthy eating and oral hygiene practices at home and about changes to dental offices to promote the safety of staff and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

images of COVID19 resource handouts

Healthy Smile Brochures

These brochures are designed to provide parents with information about the importance of oral hygiene and oral health care during pregnancy and after their infant is born and about how to ensure that their infant or young child enjoys the best possible oral health. Consumer brochures are available in two formats: trifold and full-page (double-sided).

  • A Healthy Smile for Your Baby: Tips to Keep Your Baby Healthy: Trifold | Full-page
    (Spanish) Una sonrisa saludable para tu bebé: Consejos para mantener sano a tu bebé: Trifold | Full-page
  • A Healthy Smile for Your Young Child: Tips to Keep Your Child Healthy: Trifold | Full-page
    (Spanish) Una sonrisa saludable para tu niño pequeño: Consejos para mantener sano a tu niño: Trifold | Full-page
    (German) Ein gesundes Lächeln für Ihr kleines Kind: Tipps für gesunde Zähne Ihres Kindes: Full-page
  • Two Healthy Smiles: Tips to Keep You and Your Baby Healthy: Trifold | Full-page
    (Spanish) Dos sonrisas saludables: Consejos para mantenerte a ti y a tu bebé sanos: Trifold | Full-page
image showing collage of covers for Healthy Smile Brochures

Think Teeth: Oral Health Outreach Tools from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Free educational materials can be used in outreach activities to promote good oral health and encourage families to enroll their eligible children in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). All children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP have coverage for oral health services including check-ups, X-rays, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, fillings, and more. Posters, flyers, tear pads, and fact sheets are available to download and print. Some materials can be customized with an organizatoin's information. Other digital outreach tools include short videos, social media messages and images, and web banners and buttons.

images from the Think Teeth: Oral Health Outreach campaign from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.