What is NCDHM?
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, otherwise known as NCDHM. NCDHM is an oral health campaign aimed at educating Pennsylvania youths about the importance of good oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. We also offer free online resources to assist you with oral health presentations, ideas for the classroom and coloring and activity sheets that can be used as handouts. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please contact Zsofia Kandrot, Communications Coordinator, by email, or phone,717-234-5941 x133.
Annual Poster Contest
Poster Contest
The NCDHM poster contest is a great way to conclude February’s oral health lesson. By having students draw posters reflecting what they learned during NCDHM, the message of how important dental health is to overall health will be reinforced.
Prizes
First Place
- $500
- Custom-framed poster
- Prizes presented by a PDA representative at a school assembly
- The first-place winner’s school and teacher each receive $250
Second Place
- $250
Third Place
- $100
On April 30, PDA’s 2025 NCDHM statewide poster contest winner, Emily Strand, of Notre Dame Elementary School in Monroe County, received her first-place award at a school assembly. PDA member Dr. Jignesh Rudani, of Bethlehem Dental Arts, presented Emily with her framed winning poster and monetary prize.
How to Enter
Read the official rules here. View the past winners below for inspiration. Submit your entry! Any questions?
Please contact Zsofia Kandrot, Communications Coordinator, at zlk@padental.org.
Please mail all entries by Friday, February 28, 2025 to:
Pennsylvania Dental Association
Attn: NCDHM
3501 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110
History of NCDHM
History of NCDHM
The annual observance of children’s dental health began as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio on February 3, 1941 and a one-week event in Akron, Ohio during February 1941.
The American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children’s Dental Health Day on February 8, 1949. The single day observance became a week-long event in 1955. In 1981, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.
Today, NCDHM is a nationwide program and its messages reach millions of people in communities across the country and at numerous armed service bases abroad. Local observances often include poster, coloring, and essay contests, health fairs, free dental screenings, museum exhibits, classroom presentations and dental office tours.
Award-Winning Program
PDA’s 2009 NCDHM program received national recognition by earning first place in the ADA 2009 Samuel D. Harris National Children’s Dental Health Month State Program Award. PDA has received merit awards in 2008, 2007 and 2003. PDA also earned a Capital Award from the International Association of Business Communicators – Harrisburg Chapter for the 2010 program, an award also won in 2009, 2008, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
PDA encourages member dentists and teachers across the state to participate in this important oral health program that continues to reach thousands of Pennsylvania youths each year.
Lesson Plan and Activity Sheets
Lesson Plan and Activity Sheets
PDA offers a variety of fun activities and a classroom lesson plan to help promote good oral health to children. All materials are PDF files and require Acrobat Reader.
- 2025 Lesson Plan
- Posters for display in your classroom. Download and print your own in English or Spanish.
PDA Member Resources
PDA Member Resources
Having an Event?
Tell PDA about it! We would be happy to help promote your event or feature it in our “Good News PDA” spotlight! Fill out our Publicity Form here.
In 2024, Dr. Seth Walbridge traveled to several locations to educate parents and children about all sorts of oral health topics.
“It’s crucial we discuss the importance of the mouth and how it relates to the body, especially at an early age,” said Dr. Walbridge. “I want parents to know that they should be taking their children to a dentist when their teeth begin erupting or by their first birthday.”
He is passionate about educating parents to learn about prevention, and explaining to them that being able to catch problems early is key to ensure good oral health habits for their children’s future.
During NCDHM, Dr. Walbridge was able to take part in Smile Saturday at the Litwack Dental Clinic located at Northampton Community College’s Fowler Family Center, where dentists, hygienists and students teamed up to provide care to children for a day. Families received dental education while children enjoyed games and prizes.
“As dentists, we want children to slowly become comfortable with their dentists, hygienists, assistants, and other members of the team,” Dr. Walbridge said. “Even adjusting to the smells, sights, sounds and surroundings of a dental office can be critical at an early age to develop fear-free patients for life. As a father of two young boys, this month is what being a dental professional is all about.”
NCDHM Volunteer Group
The volunteer group is open to all PDA members and will be responsible for judging the NCDHM poster contest entries. You may sign yourself up or suggest an interested colleague. If signing up a colleague, we still need your contact information.
Please email Zsofia Kandrot, Communications Coordinator: zlk@padental.org with the following info:
Name
Address
City, State, Zip
Email, District/Local Society
2025 Posters
Teacher Resources
Teacher Information
PDA encourages teachers to participate in National Children’s Dental Health Month, known as NCDHM. This annual program, held each February, is designed to educate Pennsylvania youths about the importance of good oral health. We need your help in making this program a success!
Materials are available here. You will find a lesson plan featuring dental health information and classroom activities as well as a variety of activity sheets and instructions for the PDA-sponsored poster contest. Students can participate in the poster contest by drawing a poster that reflects an oral-health or hygiene theme. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three posters, and the first-place winner’s school and teacher both receive a $250 check.
Questions about NCDHM? Contact Zsofia Kandrot, zlk@padental.org or (717) 234-5941 x 133.
On April 29, PDA’s 2024 NCDHM statewide poster contest winner, Harper Layman, of Fairview Elementary School in Erie County, received his first-place award at a school assembly. PDA member and NCDHM Statewide Chair, Dr. Sam Mansour, DMD, a general dentist practicing in Erie, presented Harper with her framed winning poster and monetary prize.
2025 Posters