National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) turns 81 years old this February. The event that began in Cleveland, OH, in 1941, originally as a single-day health recognition event, has since evolved into an entire month dedicated to pediatric oral health sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA). The ADA typically chooses a theme every year for NCDHM to serve as a rallying cry to reduce the occurrence of cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay among children. This year the theme is aimed at a well-known cavity prevention treatment for kids: Sealants Make Sense.
Dental sealants are a great way to reduce child cavities on the molars. In fact, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), sealants may reduce cavities on kids’ back teeth by 80%. Sealants are a painless treatment in which a transparent coating is painted on at-risk teeth, typically a child’s rear molars. Applying sealants only takes a few minutes to complete and once painted on, they will last about a decade before they need reapplied.
To help promote National Children’s Dental Health Month, we gathered a few resources from prominent children’s health organizations and compiled them for parents and pediatric dental health champions alike. Check them out and help spread the message for better oral health for our kids!
American Dental Association
The ADA is the lead organization on messaging for NCDHM. It also produces a lot of fun posters healthcare providers and schools can order and some fun coloring book pages and activities parents can download and share with their kids. Visit the ADA’s hub page on National Children’s Dental Health Month to find a bunch of fun resources and good information.
Colgate
Well-known dental product company Colgate put together a good list of ways you can take part in National Children’s Dental Health Month. Learn about the national health observance, why we need to do more to reduce child cavities, and ways you can reduce them in your own family.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The USDA is helping to get the ADA’s message about sealants to more American families. Check out the USDA’s National Children’s Dental Health Month webpage for a big list of federal resources and some of the ADA’s too. Like the ADA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture also has resources translated into Spanish.
American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA)
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association webpage for National Children’s Dental Health Month has some good information and resources for professionals. If you’re a registered dental hygienist and drop by their site, make sure to take their survey on pediatric oral health support. It only takes about 10 minutes and will provide dental healthcare professionals with valuable insights into pediatric oral health.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
The Mouth Monsters, a feature hosted on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s website, is a great resource for fun activities to teach kids about the importance of oral health. They have National Children’s Dental Health Month and other holiday-themed content for parents to download and share.
Thanks for Reading!
The simplest way anyone can contribute to better pediatric oral health during National Children’s Dental Health Month 2022 is to reinforce good oral health routines and home and schedule regular dental exams and cleanings.
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