Dental Awareness Month

During February, children from all over learn more about dental health during the national dental awareness month for children. This event is called the National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM). Dental practitioners use this time to identify areas of important knowledge in dental pediatrics and find creative ways to pass the information along to children. Each year, a slogan is chosen for the campaign, and dental practitioners educate children and their caregivers under the common theme.

 

Dental Awareness Month Theme

The NCDHM operates under a central theme each year, and all activities and promotions focus on the same theme. For 2020, the theme involves the dental health benefits of fluoride. The chosen slogan, “Fluoride in water prevents cavities! Get it from the tap!” reminds everyone that drinking water from a municipal water source provides an excellent way to get fluoride. Since fluoride helps prevent cavities in both children and adults, the water that comes from the tap is an easy way to reduce the chance of developing decay over a lifetime.

Presentations

The campaign for National Children’s Dental Health Month is presented in several different ways to reach a variety of groups. An official poster is created for distribution and display in schools, dentist offices, and public areas. Posters are available online for individuals to download and print out to display in your area of choice. Smaller sizes are available to download and use as flyers at events. The posters are designed with both English and Spanish language options, so a larger target audience can be reached. The poster for February 2020 shows water flowing from a tap and several characters participating in water-related activities. One character is portrayed with floss, a toothbrush and a glass of drinking water for a dental hygiene focus.

Classroom Visits

Part of the campaign involves dental practitioner and educator visits to classrooms and other physical gatherings. Sometimes a message can be driven home more clearly with hands-on interaction. Pre-created activities that are both fun and educational are distributed, or parents and educators can be directed to a website to download activity sheets for their students and children to enjoy in their own time.

Social Media and Marketing

To spread the word, many dental educators use traditional methods such as physical posters, newspapers, local magazines, and visible bulletins. Another popular marketing method for NCDHM is social media. Sharing informational posts on social media or creating events online are great ways to spread the word. You can do your part by sharing social media posts you see from dental providers and providing comments on their event pages. For 2020, use the information you learned about the benefits of fluoride for dental health to help inform others.

Dental Appointments

National Dental Awareness Month is the perfect time to get back on track with your own dental health if you have not been to the dentist in a while. Whether you are a general dentistry or pediatric patient, everyone benefits from regular dental care. Your dentist may suggest the use of fluoride as extra protection during your routine cleanings, so you can take the opportunity to let your dentist know what you have learned and ask any questions you still have.

Schedule an Appointment with Ingenious Dentistry

Whether you are a parent, a caregiver, or an educator, it’s important to spread the word about dental health and hygiene. Take the time during National Children’s Dental Health Month to update yourself on the latest dental health information available from the American Dental Association and catch up on your own dental health if it has been a while since your last visit.

To schedule an appointment for a cleaning, general check-up, or a specific concern, call (713) 795-5905 or contact the team at Ingenious Dentistry.