A Lasting Impact

Since 1941, the National Children's Dental Health Month has grown from a one-day event in Cleveland into a nationwide program reaching millions 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.

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.

Visit us online to download free activity sheets, posters, and planning guides.

For more information about the history of National Children's Dental Health Month, explore the following resources:

Exhibit created by Ellen Thieme and Andrea Matlak of the ADA CoE Library & Archives. Special thanks to Erica Colangelo and Alisun DeKock for editing support.

The ADA Commons team would like to thank the ADA Foundation and Give Kids a Smile for their collaboration on this exhibit.

Images are from the ADA's collection or are in the public domain.