February is National Children's Dental Health Month

The NCDHM Program Planning Guide provides program coordinators, dental societies, teachers, and parents with resources to promote the benefits of good oral health to children. The guide includes easy-to-do activities, program planning timetable tips, a sample NCDHM proclamation, and much, much more.

There are many ways to publicize your oral health messages, events and activities. Here are some ideas that will help you get your messages placed:

Develop a list of the local newspapers, radio and television stations. Many libraries have media directories (such as Bacon's), which include addresses, phone numbers, names of editors or producers, and circulation or broadcast information.

The local phone directory is a good resource for locating news outlets. Don't forget community news or "free" papers, which often feature community events.

Press releases are bulletins that provide general information about a specific topic (sealants, mouth guards, early childhood caries, etc.) or an upcoming event, such as a dental health screening.

News articles should be typed, double-spaced, on organization letterhead or sent by email.

Good outlets for news releases include:

• Daily and weekly newspapers and Sunday newspaper supplements
• Newsprint shopping guides
• Hospital newsletters
• Library bulletin boards
• Health club newsletters
• Church bulletins
• Chamber of commerce newsletters

To download information about additional ways to publicize your program review the links below.

• Creating Your Own Press Release (PDF)
• Broadcasting Tips (PDF)
• Sample Newspaper Articles (PDF)

• Brush Floss Smile (English PDF) (Spanish PDF)
• Sealants Make Sense (English PDF) (Spanish PDF)
• Water Nature's Drink (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
• Fluoride in water prevents cavities! (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
• Smile Builders (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
• The Tooth Team (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
• Choose Tap Water (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
• SugarSwatter Explorers (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
• Defeat Monster Mouth (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
• Super Smile Team (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
• Get a Gold Medal Smile (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
• Rock Your Smile (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
• A Healthy Smile? It's Easy to Find! (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)

National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) began as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 3, 1941. The American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children’s Dental Health Day on February 8, 1949. The single day observance became a week-long event in 1955. In 1981, the program was extended to a month-long observance known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month. Since 1941, the observance has grown from a two-city event into a nationwide program. NCDHM messages reach thousands of people in communities across the country and at numerous armed services bases. Local observances often include displays of posters provided by the ADA, coloring and essay contests, health fairs, free dental screenings, museum exhibits, classroom presentations by dentists and other members of the dental team, and dental office tours

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. NCDHM messages and materials have reached millions of people in communities across the country.

Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

Whether you're a member of the dental team, 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. We also have booklets, videos and other materials available for purchase through our ADA Store.

Please direct all questions to ncdhm@ada.org.