ADA distributed 122,850 posters last February
The impact of National Children’s Dental Health Month, observed in February, continues to show the benefits of collectively promoting oral health.
With no fewer than 122,850 posters sent this year, the ADA thanks everyone who participated as the month promoted oral health prevention and education and demonstrated the opportunity to join dental integration efforts to achieve health equity through a shared vision by people healthy.
ADA highlights some success stories of those who tackled this year’s theme, “Brush, Floss, Smile!”
Hawaii is just one of the states that observed NCDHM.
Nearly 2,000 public school keiki — Hawaii for kids — have received dental screenings from the Hawaii Keiki- Hawaii Dental Service Dental Sealant Program since 2019, part of the archipelago’s annual celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month.
Of these keiki, more than half needed and received dental sealants, indicating the need for school-based health service programs that address oral health.
Emi Orikasa, DDS, and Steven McDaniel, DMD, dentists in Hawaii, developed a partnership with the program expanding its efforts to provide better access to oral health care to public school keiki on Maui and neighboring islands.
One of their efforts reached the children of Lihikai Elementary School in Kahului.
“We are pleased with the great start at Lihikai, where we have been able to assess and provide treatment to so many children here on Maui,” said Dr. Orikasa. “There were a number of children in Lihikai who needed follow-up treatment because of the detection of rampant tooth decay, so we will connect them with a dentist or take them back to their dentist for care. This service and partnership … is proof that a school health services program can greatly benefit the Maui community.”
The celebration extended beyond dental offices.
Gina Reinoso, MD, a pediatrician practicing on Long Island, was an NCDHM poster recipient.
“I began my journey of promoting and incorporating oral health into my wellness and wellness exams about eight years ago,” said Dr. Reinoso. “Through a grant and advocacy for my patients, I was able to obtain fluoride varnish for my young patients. I now apply it regularly to most of my patients. Something I would like to emphasize is that parents very rarely [name] dental caries as a medical problem. They believe it is part of their baby teeth and that it goes away when the adult teeth come in. I promote oral health on a daily basis. I educate parents about the importance of oral health and what it means for their physical and mental health.”
While the NCDHM has concluded for 2023, the ADA encourages dental professionals and others to celebrate a shared vision to advocate for the oral health of all children throughout the year.
You can still download the materials by visiting ADA.org/ncdhm.
