February brings National Children's Dental Health Month

February is right around the corner, and with it comes National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February, the American Dental Association sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. The start of the month-long event always begins with Give Kids A Smile Day on Feb. 1.

The slogan of this year's NCDHM campaign features "GET A GOLD MEDAL SMILE." Youth materials to publicize the event and spread awareness feature the McGrinn Twins, Flossy and Buck along with their best friends and next-door neighbors Den and Gen Smiley. The characters are going for the gold to get a winning smile. The pre-teens/teens materials feature kids going the distance for a gold medal smile.

Click here to download the 2013 NCDHM Program Planning Guide.

In addition to educating kids about the important of oral health, a goal of the NCDHM campaign is to bring together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, health care providers and others so the large consortium are better able to promote the benefits of good oral health.

To find out if there is a GKAS program in your area, visit the American Dental Association's GKAS program-finder.

To download fun oral health worksheets and games, visit the For Kids section on MouthHealthy.

The ADA launched the program nationally in 2003 in an effort to provide dental services to underserved children. The program initially began as a one-day event in February, but has since grown to local and national events year-round.