February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM), a month dedicated to promoting the importance of dental health in children.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), NCDHM began as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 3, 1941. The ADA 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.
The theme for this year’s NCDHM is “Brush, Floss, Smile.” It is so important to develop good habits at an early age. Taking your children to the dentist every six months assists children in getting a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. To get started on teaching your children good oral hygiene habits, take a look at the below “Healthy Smile Tips.” For ways to prepare for your very first dental visit with your child, click here.
- Brush your teeth 2x/day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth daily.
- Eat healthy foods and limit sugary beverages.
- See your dentist at least twice a year.
Dental health in children is key to their overall health and success in school and in life. We are dedicated to helping your children learn the importance of oral health and to make it fun. In honor of this month, below you will find some activities you can do at home with your children that are focused on teaching about dental health.
Fun Activity Sheets for Children (English)
Hojas de Actividades Divertidas para Niños (Español)
- Actividad de crucigrama (PDF)
- Actividad de palabras (PDF)
- Actividad de calendario (PDF)
- Actividad de color (PDF)
Additional Activity Sheets (English/Spanish)
- 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)
For more information, or for reduced-cost, compassionate dental care for the entire family, schedule an appointment by calling 801-878-1200 (UT) or 702-968-5222 (NV).