Oral Health Month – June 1, 2026

Expected Oral Health Month Deals

Oral Health Month shifts focus from traditional deals to widespread awareness and community support initiatives. Expect dental practices to offer free or discounted screenings and cleanings, especially for underserved communities. Brands like Colgate and Oral-B often partner with nonprofits such as the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) to promote educational campaigns, distribute free dental hygiene kits, and support school programs. Look for local pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens to feature promotions on toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash, often coupled with educational materials. Community health centers may host free workshops on proper brushing techniques and diet for oral health. We will update this page with confirmed live initiatives as June approaches.

History of Oral Health Month

People have been watching their oral health for a long time. The initial toothbrushes were made of tree twigs. People would chew on the twigs to spread the fibers, which acted like bristles to clean their teeth. In fact, the ancient Greeks used pumice, talc, alabaster, coral powder, or iron rust as toothpaste.

A dentist in Connecticut, Alfred Fones, understood the importance of oral healthcare and trained his cousin to become the first dental hygienist. This gave an impetus for the very first dental hygiene program to be established in Bridgeport, Connecticut, by Dr. Fones. Years later, the American Dental Hygiene Association was formed and, soon, all 50 states of America had licensed dental hygienists. This advancement resulted in the innovation of several healthcare and technology devices that brought oral health to what it is now. A special book commonly called the “Dental Hygiene Bible” (real name, “1st Edition of Clinical Practice of The Dental Hygienist”) was published by Dr. Esther Wilkins during this time.

The Civil Rights Movement was also responsible for contributing to changes in oral health. The ADHA lifted its previous restrictions for admissions based on race, color, and creed. They soon also lifted the word ‘female’ from the ADHA constitution, allowing males to graduate in dental hygiene. Jack Orio became the first male student to do so.

As the American Dental Association believes, several items that make present oral healthcare much easier were developed in the 17th century — such as the usage of white enamel for teeth and nitrous oxide as anesthesia — and the next years were instrumental in establishing dental hygiene as a practice across America. Another historic milestone was the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 19th century, which is when personal protective equipment became mandated for all dental healthcare professionals.