National Childrens Dental Health Month

Overview

The annual observance of children's dental health began as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio on February 3, 1941. During that year, February 3-7 was designated as Children's Dental Health Week in Akron, Ohio.

The American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children's Dental Health Day on February 8, 1949. This single day observance became a week-long event in 1955. In 1981, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children's Dental Health Month.

Since 1941, the observance has grown from a two-city event into a nationwide program. NCDHM messages reach millions of people in communities across the country and at numerous armed service bases abroad. Local observances often include poster, coloring, and essay contests, health fairs, free dental screenings, museum exhibits, classroom presentations and dental office tours.

The Santa Clara County Dental Society in connection with The Health Trust put on an event called Dentists With a Heart during Children’s Dental Health Month. This program matches up children who cannot afford dental care with dentists from our Society who donate their time to do work. Last year we treated almost 500 children in the Bay Area. If you would like more information on our local program, please call us and let us know!