National Children’s Dental Health Month
Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. NCDHM messages and materials have reached millions of people in communities across the country.
Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
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. We also have booklets, videos and other materials available for purchase through our ADA Catalog.
Please direct all questions to ncdhm@ada.org.
2015 NCDHM Campaign
The American Dental Association, along with the ADA Foundation, is pleased to provide you with the February 2015 National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) campaign poster. This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others.
This year’s NCDHM campaign slogan “Defeat Monster Mouth” is displayed on both sides of the poster. This eye-catching poster features the McGrinn Twins, Flossy and Buck, along with their best friends and next-door neighbors, Den and Gen Smiley and K-9 the dog, fighting to defeat Plaqster the Monster for good oral health. On the reverse side, preteen/teenagers demonstrate effective ways to defeat monster mouth and maintain good oral health by brushing, flossing, rinsing, and eating healthy snacks.
The NCDHM Program Planning Guide provides program coordinators, dental societies, teachers, and parents with resources to promote the benefits of good oral health to children. The guide includes easy-to-do activities, program planning timetable tips, a sample NCDHM proclamation, and much, much more.
2015 NCDHM Poster
The NCDHM Posters feature the 2015 slogan “Defeat Monster Mouth” on both sides and are available in English and Spanish. These versatile posters will help speakers, teachers, and others to address a range of age groups.
To order “FREE” Posters (available in 12″x18″): You may order both the Children’s and Teen posters in English and Spanish. The hard copies will be shipped in pre-packs of 25, 50 and 100 (while quantities last).
To Download “Do It Yourself” Posters (available in 8.5″x11″ or 11″x17″):
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| 8.5″x11″/ Letter Size | |
| Download Children’s English Poster | Download Teen English Poster |
| Download Children’s Spanish Poster | Download Teen Spanish Poster |
| 11″x17″/ Tabloid Size | |
| Download Children’s English Poster | Download Teen English Poster |
| Download Children’s Spanish Poster | Download Teen Spanish Poster |
Publicity Resources
There are many ways to publicize your oral health messages, events and activities. Here are some ideas that will help you get your messages placed:
Develop a list of the local newspapers, radio and television stations. Many libraries have media directories (such as Bacon’s), which include addresses, phone numbers, names of editors or producers, and circulation or broadcast information.
The local phone directory is a good resource for locating news outlets. Don’t forget community news or “free” papers, which often feature community events.
Press releases are bulletins that provide general information about a specific topic (sealants, mouth guards, early childhood caries, etc.) or an upcoming event, such as a dental health screening.
News articles should be typed, double-spaced, on organization letterhead or sent by email.
Good outlets for news releases include:
- daily and weekly newspapers and Sunday newspaper supplements
- newsprint shopping guides
- hospital newsletters
- library bulletin boards
- health club newsletters
- church bulletins
- chamber of commerce newsletters
To download information about additional ways to publicize your program review the links below.
- Creating Your Own Press Release (PDF)
- Broadcasting Tips (PDF)
- Sample Newspaper Articles (PDF)
Fun Activity Sheets for Kids
Check out these games, puzzles, and cool coloring sheets. Print the collection and grab your markers! You’ll be on the road to ‘Defeat Monster Mouth’ in no time.
- Defeat Monster Mouth Story (English PDF)
- Defeat Monster Mouth Coloring Page (English PDF)
- Complete the Monster Face (English PDF)
- Monster Connect the Dots (English PDF)
- Match the Shadows (English PDF)
- Jen Crossword Puzzle (English PDF)
- Monster Find the Differences (English PDF)
- Monster Unscramble the Words (English PDF)
- Monster Word Search (English PDF)
- Monster Board Game (English PDF)
- Defeat Monster Mouth Certificate (English PDF)
Full Sets of Activity Sheets
- Guidelines for Usage of the 2015 NCDHM Slogan (English PDF)
- Download the full set of 2015 Activity Sheets (English PDF)
- Download the full set of 2014 Activity Sheets (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
- Download the full set of 2013 Activity Sheets (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
- Download the full set of 2012 Activity Sheets (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
- Download the full set of 2011 Activity Sheets (English PDF) | (Spanish PDF)
