February is National Children's Dental Health Month(NCDHM). Now in it's 48th year, the purpose of this celebration is to educate Americans about the importance of preventive dental care and its impact on a child's total health, attractive appearance and positive self image.
During the next few weeks dentists throughout the United States will participate in a wide variety of activities to educate children, parents, educators and care givers about proper dental care and hygiene.
One of these activities is the availability of a toll free hotline sponsored by the Chicago Dental Society. The hotline is an easy and effective way to get information and answer questions about dental health and procedures for children and teenagers.
On Thursday, February 20 and Friday, February 21 from 9am to 5pm, you may dial 1-888-GO-TEETH or 1-888-408-3384. The phones will be staffed by pediatric dentists and general practitioners who work extensively with children.
In the last three years the hotline has shown tremendous growth. While only 56 local calls were placed in 1994, almost 900 were received from all over the country in 1996.
The hotline occurs during one of the nations largest gatherings- the Midwinter Meeting of the Chicago Dental Society, now in it's 133rd year. Between continuing dental education courses, dentist from across the country volunteer for two hour shifts to answer questions, discuss specific treatment issues regarding a child's oral development and/or send materials describing different dental treatment options.
According to Dr. Alexandra Artisuk, a general dentist who has participated in all three hotlines, "The callers have very intelligent questions about dental care for kids ... the hotline is important because some people are afraid to call a dentist and ask questions. With this hotline , they can call with their concerns in a non-threatening manner and get answers to their questions",
At the state level, The Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS) is teaming up with Proctor and Gambel to sponsor a NCDHM coloring contest. The ISDS has adopted this years national NCDHM theme "Uncover the Secrets of a Healthy Smile". Kindergarten, first, second, and third graders are eligible to participate. A total of thirty six grand prizes or art activity kits will be awarded to each grade category. If you want to help promote dental awareness for your favorite little people, stop by your dentist's office and ask for a free entry form.
At the local level, throughout the month many dental offices will be closing their doors to regular business in order to open their offices up to educating our children. Although it is ideal that a child's first visit take place by the age of two, many of our nations children enter preschool never having entered a dental office. These field trips offer a fun, non-threatening way to discover what happens during a dental visit and offers an opportunity to teach and/or reinforce the correct procedures for daily dental care. Teachers may contact their dentist, dental society or county health department if you wish to participate in a field trip or to ask a speaker to come to your classroom.