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 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
- A National Children's Dental Health Month Tweetchat on Wednesday, February 22, at 2 pm ET, co-hosted by the Arcora Foundation and Oral Health Watch.
- A webinar on Thursday, February 23, at 1 pm ET, Best Practices and Innovative Approaches to Strengthen School-Based Dental Sealant Programs, hosted by the CareQuest Institute, the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, and OHRC that will explore the updated School-Based Dental Sealant Program Best Practice Approach Report.
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).
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.
- Coronavirus Disease and Oral Health: Information for Parents About Promoting Good Oral Health at Home. Available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
- Coronavirus Disease and Oral Health: Information for Parents About Visiting the Dental Office. Available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
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
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.
