“Turn Up Your Smile Power!” is the theme for February National Children’s Dental Health Month. For 60 years the American Dental Association has sponsored the month to raise awareness among families and policymakers about the importance to children of good oral health habits.

For the seventh year in a row, the month will begin with the ADA’s national health outreach event, the Give Kids a Smile campaign. It is expected that more than15,000 children throughout the state will receive free oral health screenings or dental treatment, and an additional 9,000 children will receive oral health education as part of the Give Kids a Smile campaign in Michigan. More than 400 members of the Michigan Dental Association, along with 1,200 hygienists, assistants and volunteers will participate in Give Kids a Smile day this year.

National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio on Feb. 3, 1941. The American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children’s Dental Health Day on Feb. 8, 1949. This single day observance became a week-long event in 1955, and in 1981 the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

“Oral health is such an important part of a child’s overall good health, and yet it can be overlooked in young children, said Michigan Dental Association President Joanne Dawley, D.D.S. “Good oral health habits should begin with an introductory dental visit before a child’s first birthday. Children’s teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and with proper care, a healthy diet and regular dental visits, children can have a lifetime of health smiles.”

The Michigan Dental Association and its 26 local dental societies take great pride in celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month during the month of February. Dentists throughout the state conduct oral health screenings and provide educational programs in schools and for community organizations. After all, the road to maintaining a healthy smile for a lifetime begins at an early age.