National Children’s Dental Health Month – Feb. 1, 2027

National Children’s Dental Health Month
Categories:
Tags:
ChildrenFamily
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every February
Holiday emoji:
🦷

National Children’s Dental Health Month champions the importance of good oral hygiene for kids throughout February. This month-long observance, led by the American Dental Association, provides parents and educators with vital tools and resources. Take action this month: teach proper brushing, schedule dental check-ups, and make oral care fun for your children.

Want to sponsor National Children’s Dental Health Month? Learn how

Expected National Children’s Dental Health Month Deals

As a ‘Cause’ observance, National Children’s Dental Health Month in 2027 will focus less on commercial sales and more on educational initiatives and community outreach. Expect the American Dental Association (ADA) to lead with extensive resources, including free downloadable materials and lesson plans for schools. Dental product companies like Crest and Oral-B typically partner with the ADA to distribute educational content and sometimes offer special promotions on children’s toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste. Local dental practices, often supported by organizations like Delta Dental, may host free or low-cost screenings, educational workshops, and fun events to engage kids. Look for community health centers and schools to organize awareness campaigns, often with support from brands like Colgate, emphasizing preventative care and healthy habits. We will update this page with confirmed live programs and resources as February approaches.

Platform Guide for National Children’s Dental Health Month

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #ChildrensDentalHealthMonth. Share visual tips for making brushing fun, healthy snack ideas, or behind-the-scenes of a child’s dental visit.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NCDHM. Host a live Q&A with a pediatric dentist or share engaging infographics on common dental issues in children.

YouTube

Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. Create short, animated videos demonstrating proper brushing techniques or explaining the importance of flossing in a child-friendly way.

Social Media Tips for National Children’s Dental Health Month

Individuals

Make dental hygiene a family affair by brushing together, using fun timers, and rewarding healthy habits. Read books about dental care and visit your dentist for regular check-ups.

Creators

Develop engaging content like 'brushing challenge' videos, DIY healthy snack recipes that are tooth-friendly, or interviews with pediatric dental professionals to share expert advice.

Brands

Launch educational campaigns, offer free dental screenings or workshops, and partner with schools or community centers to distribute dental hygiene kits to underserved children.

Organizations & Brands for National Children’s Dental Health Month

  1. American Dental Association (ADA)

    Founded in 1859, the ADA is the largest dental association in the United States, representing more than 163,000 dentist members. It is a leading advocate for public health and the primary organizer of National Children's Dental Health Month.

  2. Crest

    A Procter & Gamble brand, Crest introduced the first clinically proven fluoride toothpaste in 1955. It has been a long-standing partner of the American Dental Association in promoting children's dental health through products and educational initiatives.

  3. Oral-B

    Also part of Procter & Gamble, Oral-B created the first modern toothbrush in 1950. The brand is a key supporter of National Children's Dental Health Month, offering a range of toothbrushes and dental care products specifically designed for children.

  4. Colgate-Palmolive

    With a history dating back to 1806, Colgate is a global leader in oral hygiene products. The company actively participates in dental health education programs worldwide, including initiatives focused on children's oral care and cavity prevention.

  5. Delta Dental

    Established in 1954, Delta Dental is the nation's largest dental benefits provider, covering over 80 million Americans. They are deeply involved in community outreach, funding programs that improve oral health for children and underserved populations.

  6. Philips Sonicare

    Philips Sonicare is a leading brand in electric toothbrushes, known for its innovative sonic technology. They offer specialized toothbrushes for children, designed to make brushing more effective and engaging for young users.

  7. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)

    The AAPD is the recognized authority on children’s oral health. Representing pediatric dentists, the organization advocates for optimal oral health for all children and provides resources for parents and practitioners.

National Children’s Dental Health Month Hero

Dr. Alfred Fones

Dr. Alfred Fones (1869–1938) is widely regarded as the 'Father of Dental Hygiene.' In 1907, he trained his cousin, Irene Newman, to be the first dental hygienist, establishing a new profession focused on preventive oral care. His work in Bridgeport, Connecticut, demonstrated the profound impact of school-based dental hygiene programs on children's health, laying the groundwork for public health initiatives like National Children's Dental Health Month.

National Children’s Dental Health Month timeline

February, 1981
Dental health gets a whole month

The program is changed to a month-long celebration.

February 8, 1949
First National Children's Dental Health Day celebrated

The ADA observes the first National Children’s Dental Health Day.

August 3, 1859
American Dental Association is founded

The ADA is founded by 26 dentists who meet in Niagara Falls, New York. The first president is William Henry Atkinson, a dentist from Cleveland and a pioneer in dental surgery.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month

Local dental practices can celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month by offering free or discounted screenings for children, hosting open houses with educational games, or visiting local schools to give presentations on oral hygiene. Pediatricians’ offices can provide educational handouts and reinforce the importance of early dental visits. Retailers selling children’s products can create displays featuring dental care items and donate a portion of sales to children’s dental health charities. Schools and daycare centers can integrate daily brushing routines and educational activities into their curriculum, utilizing resources from the American Dental Association.

National Children’s Dental Health Month FAQs

When is National Children’s Dental Health Month?

In 2027, this vital month-long observance takes place across February, offering a renewed national focus on pediatric dental care and preventative education for families.

How many children are affected by tooth decay?

Data from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry indicates that dental caries remains the most common chronic childhood disease, impacting millions of young Americans before they even reach adulthood.

What is the theme for National Children’s Dental Health Month?

For 2027, the ADA will likely introduce a theme designed to engage both children and parents in fun, actionable ways to improve oral health, building on previous years’ successes.

Why is fluoride important for children's teeth?

It plays a crucial role in pediatric dentistry by remineralizing weakened enamel and can even reverse early signs of cavities, effectively protecting young smiles from lasting damage.

National Children’s Dental Health Month Activities

  1. Spread the word

    The ADA and Crest + Oral B provide a comprehensive list of ways to publicize National Children's Dental Health Month. Parents might want to send a letter to the editor of their local newspaper or organize an event at their local elementary schools.

  2. Work on arts and crafts projects with the kids

    The ADA website (ada.org) has lots of fun things to do regarding National Children's Dental Health Month. You can even download puzzles and coloring pages for the kids directly from the site.

  3. Brush and floss together

    Make brushing and flossing a regular part of daily activities with your children. After all, kids learn best when they have an adult to show them the right way.

Why We Love National Children’s Dental Health Month

  1. It's about more than just teeth

    Teaching kids about good oral hygiene is vital to keeping them healthy. And by developing good habits in one area, it will be easier for kids to develop good habits in other areas of their lives.

  2. It reminds us to floss, too

    We can teach our kids to floss, thereby instilling a good habit early in life. But National Children's Dental Health Month also reminds parents to floss, too!

  3. The poster is totally rad

    The fun, colorful and vibrant poster for National Children's Dental Health Month showcases the "Tooth Team" and provides a few tips on dental hygiene.

National Children’s Dental Health Month dates

Year Date Day
2027 February 1 Monday
2028 February 1 Tuesday
2029 February 1 Thursday
2030 February 1 Friday
2031 February 1 Saturday