Where did dental health month come from?
National Children’s Dental Health observances began with a one day event in Cleveland, Ohio and a one week event in Akron, Ohio back in February of 1941. Over the years, the concept grew from a two city event to a nationwide program. The first official national observance day conducted by the American Dental Association was on February 8, 1949. This single day event expanded to a week long event in 1955. And by 1981, the program was extended to a month long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month. 
Why do we celebrate it?
It’s truly the Super Bowl of Pediatric Dentistry!!! It’s a nationwide movement that brings together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, health care providers and educators all promoting the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others. It also give us an extra opportunity to reach out in our local community to promote kids dental health awareness.
Here are a few very scary but very real statistics:
- Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease—5 times more common than
asthma, 4 times more common than early childhood obesity, and 20 times more common than diabetes - 20% of preschoolers (ages 2-5) already have tooth decay
- 13% of adolescents (ages 12-19) have at least one untreated decayed tooth
If left untreated, tooth decay can become very painful. Without appropriate treatment, tooth decay can lead to infection of the teeth, gums and tooth loss. Untreated dental disease can compromise a child’s ability to eat well, sleep well, and effect a child’s self-esteem and social development.
The good news is decay is preventable! Check our KT blog for more information about tooth decay prevention this month.
What does Kids Teeth do to help spread the word about National Children’s Dental Health Month?
For the past twelve years, we’ve contacted area schools, daycares, community groups, and churches to invite them to view our interactive puppet show. This program began with visiting a few hundred children and has now grown into a few thousand in 2018. Each visit includes brief puppet show, a discussion about proper oral hygiene and diet, and Dudley the dinosaur. Also every child that views the show, takes home a bag full of goodies to help them continue to care for their teeth at home.
This year during National Children’s Dental Health Month we want you to know that we understand 
getting your child to brush isn’t an easy task! We know it comes with drama, crying, screaming, eye rolls, and lots attitude. You are not alone in this, we see it in our homes too. Let us help you attack these issues head on with some brushing tips that will help your children (and you) form a lifetime of good oral hygiene habits. Stay tuned to our Facebook Page and the KT blog for helpful tips to get your brushing under control at home.
We’ve got a lot of fun stuff coming up to celebrate the best holiday of the year – National Children’s Dental Health Month!