About
What is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM)?
Observed every February, NCDHM reminds families that children should adopt good oral health habits early. This improves the chance of children having healthy teeth and gums throughout their life.
Oral health is a window to our overall health. NCDHM is a perfect time for parents and caregivers to make sure their children brush up on their dental care habits!
At-Home Care is Not Enough!
Although preventable, tooth decay is the most common childhood disease.1 Brushing twice a day and flossing daily are important but not enough. Children should visit the dentist two times a year. There are issues only a dentist or hygienist can identify. It’s important to find these issues before they become a problem. Starting dental visits at an early age will also allow your child to become comfortable with the dentist.
Two dental visits per year visits are covered in children’s Medi-Cal dental plans!
If you schedule your child’s first dental check-up in February, their second appointment will fall just-in-time before back-to-school in August!
Need to find a dental home? Visit the Find A Dentist page to find a Medi-Cal dentist near you!
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
How to Use the Find A Dentist Tool
Join the Fun
Download and share these coloring sheets to help educate children about dental health. Don’t forget to share their creations on social media and tag us!
Resources for Parents and Caregivers
NEW “Love Your Smile” Coloring Sheet (For Younger Children)
NEW “Show Your Teeth Some Love” Coloring Sheet (For Older Children)
NEW Teeth Brushing Calendar
NEW Toothy Tips for Parents Flyer
NEW Brushing Techniques & Additional Resources Flyer
NEW K – 1st Grade Children’s Dental Health Education Packet
NEW 2nd – 3rd Grade Children’s Dental Health Education Packet
NEW 4th – 5th Grade Children’s Dental Health Education Packet
NEW Healthy Smile Pledge Certificate
Clean Routine Fotonovela
Molar Sealant Information Sheet
English/Spanish
Cambodian
Chinese (Simplified)
Korean
Tagalog
Vietnamese
Hmong
Thai
Resources for Partners and Providers
NEW 2024 “Love Your Smile” Coloring Sheet (For Younger Children)
NEW 2024 “Show Your Teeth Some Love” Coloring Sheet (For Older Children)
NEW “Show Your Teeth Some Love” Social Media Posts
Download: English | Spanish | Suggested Captions Document
NEW Teeth Brushing Calendar
NEW Toothy Tips for Parents Flyer
NEW Brushing Techniques & Additional Resources Flyer
NEW K – 1st Grade Children’s Dental Health Education Packet
NEW 2nd – 3rd Grade Children’s Dental Health Education Packet
NEW 4th – 5th Grade Children’s Dental Health Education Packet
NEW Healthy Smile Pledge Certificate
Connecting Members to Care Using the Find A Dentist Tool
Smile Care Plan
English/Spanish
Cambodian
Chinese
Vietnamese
Tagalog
Thai
Korean
Hmong
Molar Sealant Information Sheet
English/Spanish
Cambodian
Chinese (Simplified)
Korean
Tagalog
Vietnamese
Hmong
Thai
Clean Routine Fotonovela
Healthy Smiles Start With Healthy Foods Flyer
English Digital
English Print-Ready
Spanish Digital
Spanish Print-Ready
Coloring Activities
Molar Sealants Coloring Activity
Clean Routine Coloring Activity
Healthy Teeth for Me! Activity Storybook
Dental Superhero Coloring Sheet (English|Spanish)
Videos
English
Healthy Tips for Tiny Teeth
Watch | Download
Healthy Children Are Ready to Learn!
Watch | Download
Healthy Children Are Ready to Learn! Social Media Versions
Download :60 Version
Download :30 KOHA Version
Download :30 School Readiness Version
Medi-Cal Has Dental Covered
Watch | Download