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1981 National Children’s Dental Health Month
i®
A S S O C IA T IO N R E P O R T S
1981 National Children’s Dental Health Month B u re au of H ealth E d ucation a n d A u d io v is u a l Services
T
JL he 1981 premiering of National C h ild r e n ’s D ental H ealth M onth (NCDHM) resulted in unprecedented activity at state and local levels. The important health education message “Take Care of Your Health . . . Head First” was conveyed to millions of schoolchildren who were exposed to educational materials and programs throughout the month. When asked whether the extension from one week to a month resulted in improved state and local programs, the majority of d e n tal h e alth ch airm en w ho re sponded stated that they much pre ferred a m onth-long observance. Evaluations from the chairmen indi cated that a month afforded more time for publicity and greater flexibility in planning. “We were able to expand the program without rushing to condense activities into one week,” said one chairman. Other comments were: “We were able to visit all area schools for presentations on oral health at a more leisurely pace, thus enabling us to be more consistent and thorough”; “We had much more latitude for our pro gramming and use of audiovisual aids throughout the district” ; ‘‘School faculties had more time to incorporate dental health education into their pro grams”; and “Recruiting volunteers and coordinating activities within our district was much easier by having a month to work together rather than a week.” Throughout the month, innovative educational programs were conducted in a variety of settings that included schools, senior citizen centers, hospi tals, libraries, and shopping centers. Special materials developed by the Association and distributed to state and local program planners included:
442 ■ JADA, Vol. 103, September 1981
6.5 0 0 p r o g r a m p la n n i n g k its , 1,000,000 standard posters, 800,000 miniature posters, 35,000 calendars, 11.500 car cards, 103,000 buttons, 25,000 iron-on transfers, 4,500 poster sets, 8,000 citations, 600 public service announcements for television, and 1,900 announcements for radio. As a result of successful local con tacts by members of the dental com munity with television and radio sta tions managers, all the announce ments produced were delivered to sta tions for airing throughout the month. Additionally, innumerable interviews and question and answer sessions in volved dentists on local talk show pro grams. The combination of the media contacts amounted to millions of dol lars worth of advertising time, had the time been purchased. Plans for the 1982 NCDHM are well under way. A new character “Captain Wondertooth” w ill make his debut for 1982; he w ill appear on buttons, bumper stickers, bookmarks, posters, and the public service announcements for television. Planning materials will be distributed in September to chair men whose names have been submit ted to the Association’s Bureau of Health Education and Audiovisual Services. For further information on the 1982 program, please contact the Bureau. The following summary highlights the program s con d ucte d d u rin g NCDHM 1981.
Schools Pittsburgh: A “Foster Grandparents Dental Health Program” was coordi nated by the Auxiliary to the Odontological Society of Western Pënnsyl-
vania. Senior citizens who are mem bers of a foster grandparents program were taught, by auxiliary members, to present a dental health puppet show. The seniors then presented the show to
A S S O C IA T IO N
children in daycare centers, child de velopment centers for exceptional children, and a crippled children’s home. After each puppet show presen tation, an auxiliary member conducted a discussion with the children to rein force the dental health concepts pre sented during the show. Fond du Lac, Wis: A “Tooth Totes” project was developed by the Fond du Lac County Dental Auxiliary. Three different totes were assembled, each geared to different grade levels: K-3, 4-6, and 7-9. Teachers in area schools were sent a letter describing the con tents of the totes. The contents in cluded a dental health film, brushing and flossing charts, pamphlets, dairy council materials, a copy of The Tooth Survival Book, and the ADA school program guide, Learning about Your Oral Health. A tooth tote could be bor rowed for five days, by calling the of
fice of a local dentist. Teachers who re served the tote during February could also request that a dentist visit their classrooms. Dayton, Ohio. The Dayton Dental Society chose the Dayton third-grade students and their parents as the target group for their educational thrust dur ing NCDHM. Educators throughout the metropolitan area were informed of program plans by the dental health committee chairman. During January, more than 13,000 copies of the ADA pamphlet Your Child’s Teeth were de livered to schools where they were then sent home to parents. Teachers were provided order forms for dental health education materials they could request for their classroom units; they were informed of the poster contest, school screenings, and other NCDHM community activities. School nurses could arrange school screenings by
REPORTS
contacting the Dayton Dental Society, and all educators were reminded of the opportunity to obtain a speaker, also by contacting the society office. Tioga County, Pa: Students in the Tioga County schools were asked to create posters, drawings, cartoons, riddles, and poems; each contained a dental health message. The students’ creations were then used to make booklets for each of the Tioga County dental offices. Several students were selected to record their creative writ ing for airing on the local television station throughout NCDHM. M acD ill A ir Force Base, F la: A melodramatic skit was presented to the elementary classes on MacDill Air Force Base during NCDHM. The vil lain, “Mr. Plaque,” was portrayed by a staff member who was dressed in black with a black and red cape, a top hat, and an overdenture that appeared as decayed teeth. “Mr. Plaque” inter rupted a classroom dental health pre sentation being given by a dentist. The dentist guided the class in correcting the misinformation espoused by “Mr. Plaque.” Children responded en thusiastically, and the villain became notorious throughout the school. Travis A ir Force Base, C alif: Junior high school students were able to view the live bacteria in plaque during a project using a phase contrast micro scope linked to a television screen by means of a closed circuit TV camera. Students worked in pairs to prepare slides. After the use of the micro scope, a slide program showed preven tive aspects of oral care. M in n e ap o lis: A “ Dental Health Theatre” was developed by members of the Minneapolis District Dental Auxiliary and the dental society. In September, letters were sent to all school superintendents to inform them of the availability of the theater for providing an entertaining way to present dental health information to students. The program included an overview of the function and care of teeth; a film program, a play entitled To Tell The Tooth”; and an Ask the Dentist session. Each child received a toothbrush, and teachers were given a kit that contained pamphlets, posters, and a NCDHM calendar. A total of 1,875 children from 66 classrooms at tended performances given during the month. Racine, PVfs: A dental health poetry JADA, Vol. 103, September 1981 ■ 443
A S S O C IA T IO N
REPORTS
The important health education message “Take Care of Your Health . . . Head First” was conveyed to millions of schoolchildren who were exposed to educational materials and programs throughout the month. contest was coordinated by the Racine County Auxiliary for the elementary students in the area. Students were in structed to write an original poem per taining to their teeth and proper dental care. More than 100 entries were re ceived and, in some cases, entire En glish or health classes used the con tests as a class project. Entries were judged according to age level. Winners received cash prizes and dental care kits. Winners were also featured in the local newspaper, and the local radio station broadcast selected' w inning poems six times each day for two weeks with the students as announ cers. Morgantown, WVa: A “Clean Teeth Competition” was conducted in 19 county schools, involving nearly 1,500 studenfs. During the first week in Feb ruary, teams composed of third-year dental hygiene students and dental so ciety members visited the schools. Auxiliary members presented preven tion programs and encouraged the students to participate in the competi tion. Two weeks later, all the schools were revisited and the oral cleanliness of each child was checked. During the final week, scores for each school were tabulated to determine an overall oral hygiene index. A plaque, provided by the auxiliary, was presented to the school with the best score. Lufkin, Tex: Members of the East Texas Dental Society combined efforts with members of the American Diete tic Association to coordinate dental health and nutrition programs during NCDHM in February and National Nu trition Month in March. Classroom vis its were made by the dentists, hygienists, and dietitian team. Pierce, Neb: Third-grade students in Pierce performed a dental health play for their parents and also pre pared healthy snacks that were served to the parents after the play. Elmendorf A ir Force Base, Ala: A skit with muppet-like characters, “Big Blue Bird” and “Candy Monster,” was performed for elementary students by members of the Elmendorf Air Force Base D e n ta l H e a lth Service. A 444 • JADA, Vol. 103, September 1981
backdrop depicting the outside of a dental office set the scene for the skit. D uring the skit, responses were elicitied from students to help the muppets develop a better understand ing of good oral health practices.
Community Greensboro, NC: The Guildford County Dental Auxiliary coordinated a comprehensive dental health fair that was held on three consecutive days during NCDHM. Fair activities in cluded the distribution of helium bal loons with special inscriptions; pup pet shows and film festivals featuring ADA films every 30 minutes; “happy, healthy sm iles” face paintings; a “Clown Ring Toss Game” with tooth brushes, floss, ice rink passes, and sugarless treats as prizes; a “Snack Shack” where nutrition information and sugarless recipes were dispersed; and table clinics on plaque removal, nutrition, fluorides, periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, and prosthodontics. Laughlin A ir Force Base, Tex: More than 600 NCDHM miniature posters were delivered by members of a scout troop to all residents of base housing at the Laughlin Air Force Base. The post-: ers were to promote the planned Pre ventive Dentistry Program. Pandora, Ohio: The Northwest Ohio Dental Society manned booths in the area shopping m alls on each Saturday during February. Pamphlets and educational materials were dis tributed and professionals answered questions. Valparaiso, Ind: Activities for the Northwest Indiana NCDHM obser vance were coordinated by a planning committee that included members of the Northwest Indiana Dental Society, the Porter County Dental Society, the auxiliary, the dental hygienists’ asso ciation, and the dental assistants association. Activities included the placement of the NCDHM slogan on marquees of area banks and busi nesses; taping of a dental health rec ording that was heard by those who
called the local time and temperature numbers; poster contests for primary s tu d e n ts ; “ In c r e d ib le T o o th ’ sculpture contests for intermediate students; essay contests for junior high students; presentations to high school child development and home nursing classes; radio and television talk show appearances; and programs featuring the “ Incredible T ooth” (a 7-foot papier-mache tooth inside of which there was a dental professional who answered questions from passers-by at shopping centers). The shopping mall programs also included exhibits on special areas of dentistry, puppet shows, and dental health movies. Vis its to area school classrooms were also made by members of the dental soci ety. Tinker A ir Force Base, Okla: To provide a community mobile dental health unit, members of the Tinker AFB Dental Clinic reconstructed the interior of an old USAF 29-passenger bus. Table clinics on nutrition and “Toothbugs” were set up in the front part of the bus, and the back of the bus was reconfigured into a theater with a capacity to seat 25 children. The inte rior was decorated with posters de signed by children. On each side of the exterior were 4- x 6-feet white molars and “Molarmohile” signs. The 600 children who visited the Molarmobjle in February were given dental health lessons and a toothbrush, disclosing tablets, dental stickers, pamphlets, and a piece of fruit. W ichita, Kan: Members of the Wichita District Dental Auxiliary ar ranged to have their puppet show, Dragon of Decay, taped at a local tele vision station. The show was aired on cable television stations on request from area schools. The auxiliary also distributed 1,000 copies of the ADA pamphlet, “Your C hild’s Teeth,” to a childbirth education association for Lamaze class participants. Dayton, Ohio: The Dayton Dental Society arranged a children’s art con test that was jointly sponsored by the society, Burger King restaurants, and the Huffy Corporation. The contest fea
A S S O C IA T IO N
tured original drawings by school children, ages 7-12, depicting the cure for “Prince Sweettooth’s” dental prob lems. The 18 winners each received a bicycle. West V irginia: Body painting was described as a favorite activity during the Dental Health Fair, sponsored by the Eastern Panhandle Dental Society. Painters used tempora paint to design teeth, smiles, fruit, and toothbrushes on the faces and hands of those who visited their booth. Charleston, SC: A dental health parade was sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Health. The parade included floats, bands, march ing youth groups displaying dental health banners, and 50 children on bicycles decorated with dental health slogans. P o rtlan d , O re: The M ultnom ah County Dental Society and the County Health Department cosponsored a drawing for cash prizes redeemable for dental care. Posters to advertise the drawing were displayed throughout local stores and advertisements ap peared in the local newspapers. The drawing attracted more than 1,700 en tries. The first name drawn was awarded a $100 certificate redeemable for dental care, the second drawing was for a $50 certificate, and 20 draw ings for awards of $20 certificates. Fort Worth, Tex: “I Love my Teeth” was the theme of two dental health fairs that were sponsored on Valen tine’s Day by the Fort Worth District Dental Society. Activities during the fair included regular dental screenings as well as orthodontic and oral cancer screenings. Movies were shown and patient education materials were dis tributed. More than 200 volunteers in cluding dentists, hygienists, assis tants, and members of the auxiliary assited with the program. G ree nv ille , SC: The Greenville County Dental Society sponsored a “Dokey, the Clown” show that was performed throughout the community d u rin g February. Dr. L ittlejoh n, NCDHM chairman, and Dokey went to schools and the Shriner’s hospital to talk with children about dental health. Dokey was also a featured guest on a local children’s television program. Also broadcast on another station was an interview with Dr. Littlejohn and Dokey concerning the relationship of nutrition and oral health.
Cham paign, 111: Members of the dental a u x ilia ry an d the dental hygiene association in Champaign vis ited the pediatric wards within the three local hospitals. Every child re ceived a toothbrush, coloring book, button, and pamphlets. Dental health m o n th p osters were d is p la y e d throughout the hospitals. West Chatham , Mass: The Cape Cod District Dental Society purchased 26 copies of the Tooth Survival Book for distribution to each elementary school on Cape Cod and on the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Each copy was stamped “ C om pli ments of the Cape Cod District Dental Society.” Roanoke, Va: The Auxiliary to the Roanoke Valley Dental Society ar ranged in the reading rooms of area li braries a pamphlet display covering all areas of dentistry. Window displays, constructed in the library children’s rooms, featured all dental-related books for children, posters, charts, toothbrushes, floss, and disclosing tablets.
Media Lafayette, La: In a cooperative pro ject w ith a local newspaper, the Lafayette D aily A dvertizer, members of the Acadiana Dental Auxiliary sold advertising space in the paper to local pharmacists and grocers. In exchange, the A dvertizer published two full pages of NCDHM articles and photo graphs during February. Jonesboro, A rk: A “ Smile Line” telephone number was publicized in local newspapers in the Jonesboro area. Readers were invited to call the Smile Line number on Monday or Tuesday from 6 to 8 pm , during NCDHM to receive answers to their dental inquiries. Members of the Jonesboro chapter of the Crowley’s Ridge Study Club provided answers for those who called. Lackaw anna County, Pa: In recog nition of the need to provide dental health information for all age groups, members of the Scranton District Den tal Society conducted a radio cam paign. Each week of NCDHM, a society member participated in a radio inter view that addressed the concerns of specific age groups. Areas covered in cluded geriatric dental care, oral and cosmetic dental surgery, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry.
REPORTS
Louisville, Ky: Four eighth-grade students from Lyman T. Johnson M id dle School presented a program on a cable television station in Louisville. Each student discussed dental health subjects relevant to children. Posters, films, and demonstrations were used to enhance their program. Roanoke, Va: A “media blitz” coor d in ate d by the A u x ilia ry to the Roanoke Valley Dental Society was a successful endeavor. Dental health in formation columns were placed in newspapers, as well as articles de scribing the local NCDHM activities; special information on the relation ship of nutrition and dental health ap peared in the food guide section, and dental health crossword puzzles in a special section for children. Car cards were placed in buses and electronic marquees flashed the NCDHM slogan throughout the month. Television coverage included an interview with a local pedodontist. P rin ce to n , W Va: A n extensive month-long radio campaign was insti tuted by members of the Mercer McDowell Dental Society. Arrange ments were made with two popular radio stations in the area to donate time each day for airing the ADA pub lic service announcements during the month. In addition to the donated pub lic service airing time, the dental soci ety purchased, from the same stations, tim e fo r a i r i n g a 6 0 - se c o n d prevention-oriented announcement composed by the local society. Cranston, R I: Ask the Dentists, a 30-minute question and answer televi sion program, and Face to Face, a 30minute television talk show, both ded icated programs to dental health dur ing February. Members of the Rhode Island Dental Society were featured in the program. Corpus Christi, Tex: Members of the Nueces Valley District Dental Society and the auxiliary participated in a va riety of television appearances includ ing two 10-minute segments on Morn ing Magazine, several 9-minute seg ments on Tele Corpus, a Spanish pro gram; and a 20-minute children’s pro gram, Corpus Christi Museum. Also, arrangements were made for dental questions to be asked during the Feb ruary airings of Challenge Program, a game show for students, and dental health issues were featured on the State of the fiegion and the Speakers Stump shows. JADA, Vol. 103, September 1981 ■ 445
A S S O C IA T IO N R E P O R T S
1981 National Children’s Dental Health Month B u re au of H ealth E d ucation a n d A u d io v is u a l Services
T
JL he 1981 premiering of National C h ild r e n ’s D ental H ealth M onth (NCDHM) resulted in unprecedented activity at state and local levels. The important health education message “Take Care of Your Health . . . Head First” was conveyed to millions of schoolchildren who were exposed to educational materials and programs throughout the month. When asked whether the extension from one week to a month resulted in improved state and local programs, the majority of d e n tal h e alth ch airm en w ho re sponded stated that they much pre ferred a m onth-long observance. Evaluations from the chairmen indi cated that a month afforded more time for publicity and greater flexibility in planning. “We were able to expand the program without rushing to condense activities into one week,” said one chairman. Other comments were: “We were able to visit all area schools for presentations on oral health at a more leisurely pace, thus enabling us to be more consistent and thorough”; “We had much more latitude for our pro gramming and use of audiovisual aids throughout the district” ; ‘‘School faculties had more time to incorporate dental health education into their pro grams”; and “Recruiting volunteers and coordinating activities within our district was much easier by having a month to work together rather than a week.” Throughout the month, innovative educational programs were conducted in a variety of settings that included schools, senior citizen centers, hospi tals, libraries, and shopping centers. Special materials developed by the Association and distributed to state and local program planners included:
442 ■ JADA, Vol. 103, September 1981
6.5 0 0 p r o g r a m p la n n i n g k its , 1,000,000 standard posters, 800,000 miniature posters, 35,000 calendars, 11.500 car cards, 103,000 buttons, 25,000 iron-on transfers, 4,500 poster sets, 8,000 citations, 600 public service announcements for television, and 1,900 announcements for radio. As a result of successful local con tacts by members of the dental com munity with television and radio sta tions managers, all the announce ments produced were delivered to sta tions for airing throughout the month. Additionally, innumerable interviews and question and answer sessions in volved dentists on local talk show pro grams. The combination of the media contacts amounted to millions of dol lars worth of advertising time, had the time been purchased. Plans for the 1982 NCDHM are well under way. A new character “Captain Wondertooth” w ill make his debut for 1982; he w ill appear on buttons, bumper stickers, bookmarks, posters, and the public service announcements for television. Planning materials will be distributed in September to chair men whose names have been submit ted to the Association’s Bureau of Health Education and Audiovisual Services. For further information on the 1982 program, please contact the Bureau. The following summary highlights the program s con d ucte d d u rin g NCDHM 1981.
Schools Pittsburgh: A “Foster Grandparents Dental Health Program” was coordi nated by the Auxiliary to the Odontological Society of Western Pënnsyl-
vania. Senior citizens who are mem bers of a foster grandparents program were taught, by auxiliary members, to present a dental health puppet show. The seniors then presented the show to
A S S O C IA T IO N
children in daycare centers, child de velopment centers for exceptional children, and a crippled children’s home. After each puppet show presen tation, an auxiliary member conducted a discussion with the children to rein force the dental health concepts pre sented during the show. Fond du Lac, Wis: A “Tooth Totes” project was developed by the Fond du Lac County Dental Auxiliary. Three different totes were assembled, each geared to different grade levels: K-3, 4-6, and 7-9. Teachers in area schools were sent a letter describing the con tents of the totes. The contents in cluded a dental health film, brushing and flossing charts, pamphlets, dairy council materials, a copy of The Tooth Survival Book, and the ADA school program guide, Learning about Your Oral Health. A tooth tote could be bor rowed for five days, by calling the of
fice of a local dentist. Teachers who re served the tote during February could also request that a dentist visit their classrooms. Dayton, Ohio. The Dayton Dental Society chose the Dayton third-grade students and their parents as the target group for their educational thrust dur ing NCDHM. Educators throughout the metropolitan area were informed of program plans by the dental health committee chairman. During January, more than 13,000 copies of the ADA pamphlet Your Child’s Teeth were de livered to schools where they were then sent home to parents. Teachers were provided order forms for dental health education materials they could request for their classroom units; they were informed of the poster contest, school screenings, and other NCDHM community activities. School nurses could arrange school screenings by
REPORTS
contacting the Dayton Dental Society, and all educators were reminded of the opportunity to obtain a speaker, also by contacting the society office. Tioga County, Pa: Students in the Tioga County schools were asked to create posters, drawings, cartoons, riddles, and poems; each contained a dental health message. The students’ creations were then used to make booklets for each of the Tioga County dental offices. Several students were selected to record their creative writ ing for airing on the local television station throughout NCDHM. M acD ill A ir Force Base, F la: A melodramatic skit was presented to the elementary classes on MacDill Air Force Base during NCDHM. The vil lain, “Mr. Plaque,” was portrayed by a staff member who was dressed in black with a black and red cape, a top hat, and an overdenture that appeared as decayed teeth. “Mr. Plaque” inter rupted a classroom dental health pre sentation being given by a dentist. The dentist guided the class in correcting the misinformation espoused by “Mr. Plaque.” Children responded en thusiastically, and the villain became notorious throughout the school. Travis A ir Force Base, C alif: Junior high school students were able to view the live bacteria in plaque during a project using a phase contrast micro scope linked to a television screen by means of a closed circuit TV camera. Students worked in pairs to prepare slides. After the use of the micro scope, a slide program showed preven tive aspects of oral care. M in n e ap o lis: A “ Dental Health Theatre” was developed by members of the Minneapolis District Dental Auxiliary and the dental society. In September, letters were sent to all school superintendents to inform them of the availability of the theater for providing an entertaining way to present dental health information to students. The program included an overview of the function and care of teeth; a film program, a play entitled To Tell The Tooth”; and an Ask the Dentist session. Each child received a toothbrush, and teachers were given a kit that contained pamphlets, posters, and a NCDHM calendar. A total of 1,875 children from 66 classrooms at tended performances given during the month. Racine, PVfs: A dental health poetry JADA, Vol. 103, September 1981 ■ 443
A S S O C IA T IO N
REPORTS
The important health education message “Take Care of Your Health . . . Head First” was conveyed to millions of schoolchildren who were exposed to educational materials and programs throughout the month. contest was coordinated by the Racine County Auxiliary for the elementary students in the area. Students were in structed to write an original poem per taining to their teeth and proper dental care. More than 100 entries were re ceived and, in some cases, entire En glish or health classes used the con tests as a class project. Entries were judged according to age level. Winners received cash prizes and dental care kits. Winners were also featured in the local newspaper, and the local radio station broadcast selected' w inning poems six times each day for two weeks with the students as announ cers. Morgantown, WVa: A “Clean Teeth Competition” was conducted in 19 county schools, involving nearly 1,500 studenfs. During the first week in Feb ruary, teams composed of third-year dental hygiene students and dental so ciety members visited the schools. Auxiliary members presented preven tion programs and encouraged the students to participate in the competi tion. Two weeks later, all the schools were revisited and the oral cleanliness of each child was checked. During the final week, scores for each school were tabulated to determine an overall oral hygiene index. A plaque, provided by the auxiliary, was presented to the school with the best score. Lufkin, Tex: Members of the East Texas Dental Society combined efforts with members of the American Diete tic Association to coordinate dental health and nutrition programs during NCDHM in February and National Nu trition Month in March. Classroom vis its were made by the dentists, hygienists, and dietitian team. Pierce, Neb: Third-grade students in Pierce performed a dental health play for their parents and also pre pared healthy snacks that were served to the parents after the play. Elmendorf A ir Force Base, Ala: A skit with muppet-like characters, “Big Blue Bird” and “Candy Monster,” was performed for elementary students by members of the Elmendorf Air Force Base D e n ta l H e a lth Service. A 444 • JADA, Vol. 103, September 1981
backdrop depicting the outside of a dental office set the scene for the skit. D uring the skit, responses were elicitied from students to help the muppets develop a better understand ing of good oral health practices.
Community Greensboro, NC: The Guildford County Dental Auxiliary coordinated a comprehensive dental health fair that was held on three consecutive days during NCDHM. Fair activities in cluded the distribution of helium bal loons with special inscriptions; pup pet shows and film festivals featuring ADA films every 30 minutes; “happy, healthy sm iles” face paintings; a “Clown Ring Toss Game” with tooth brushes, floss, ice rink passes, and sugarless treats as prizes; a “Snack Shack” where nutrition information and sugarless recipes were dispersed; and table clinics on plaque removal, nutrition, fluorides, periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, and prosthodontics. Laughlin A ir Force Base, Tex: More than 600 NCDHM miniature posters were delivered by members of a scout troop to all residents of base housing at the Laughlin Air Force Base. The post-: ers were to promote the planned Pre ventive Dentistry Program. Pandora, Ohio: The Northwest Ohio Dental Society manned booths in the area shopping m alls on each Saturday during February. Pamphlets and educational materials were dis tributed and professionals answered questions. Valparaiso, Ind: Activities for the Northwest Indiana NCDHM obser vance were coordinated by a planning committee that included members of the Northwest Indiana Dental Society, the Porter County Dental Society, the auxiliary, the dental hygienists’ asso ciation, and the dental assistants association. Activities included the placement of the NCDHM slogan on marquees of area banks and busi nesses; taping of a dental health rec ording that was heard by those who
called the local time and temperature numbers; poster contests for primary s tu d e n ts ; “ In c r e d ib le T o o th ’ sculpture contests for intermediate students; essay contests for junior high students; presentations to high school child development and home nursing classes; radio and television talk show appearances; and programs featuring the “ Incredible T ooth” (a 7-foot papier-mache tooth inside of which there was a dental professional who answered questions from passers-by at shopping centers). The shopping mall programs also included exhibits on special areas of dentistry, puppet shows, and dental health movies. Vis its to area school classrooms were also made by members of the dental soci ety. Tinker A ir Force Base, Okla: To provide a community mobile dental health unit, members of the Tinker AFB Dental Clinic reconstructed the interior of an old USAF 29-passenger bus. Table clinics on nutrition and “Toothbugs” were set up in the front part of the bus, and the back of the bus was reconfigured into a theater with a capacity to seat 25 children. The inte rior was decorated with posters de signed by children. On each side of the exterior were 4- x 6-feet white molars and “Molarmohile” signs. The 600 children who visited the Molarmobjle in February were given dental health lessons and a toothbrush, disclosing tablets, dental stickers, pamphlets, and a piece of fruit. W ichita, Kan: Members of the Wichita District Dental Auxiliary ar ranged to have their puppet show, Dragon of Decay, taped at a local tele vision station. The show was aired on cable television stations on request from area schools. The auxiliary also distributed 1,000 copies of the ADA pamphlet, “Your C hild’s Teeth,” to a childbirth education association for Lamaze class participants. Dayton, Ohio: The Dayton Dental Society arranged a children’s art con test that was jointly sponsored by the society, Burger King restaurants, and the Huffy Corporation. The contest fea
A S S O C IA T IO N
tured original drawings by school children, ages 7-12, depicting the cure for “Prince Sweettooth’s” dental prob lems. The 18 winners each received a bicycle. West V irginia: Body painting was described as a favorite activity during the Dental Health Fair, sponsored by the Eastern Panhandle Dental Society. Painters used tempora paint to design teeth, smiles, fruit, and toothbrushes on the faces and hands of those who visited their booth. Charleston, SC: A dental health parade was sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Health. The parade included floats, bands, march ing youth groups displaying dental health banners, and 50 children on bicycles decorated with dental health slogans. P o rtlan d , O re: The M ultnom ah County Dental Society and the County Health Department cosponsored a drawing for cash prizes redeemable for dental care. Posters to advertise the drawing were displayed throughout local stores and advertisements ap peared in the local newspapers. The drawing attracted more than 1,700 en tries. The first name drawn was awarded a $100 certificate redeemable for dental care, the second drawing was for a $50 certificate, and 20 draw ings for awards of $20 certificates. Fort Worth, Tex: “I Love my Teeth” was the theme of two dental health fairs that were sponsored on Valen tine’s Day by the Fort Worth District Dental Society. Activities during the fair included regular dental screenings as well as orthodontic and oral cancer screenings. Movies were shown and patient education materials were dis tributed. More than 200 volunteers in cluding dentists, hygienists, assis tants, and members of the auxiliary assited with the program. G ree nv ille , SC: The Greenville County Dental Society sponsored a “Dokey, the Clown” show that was performed throughout the community d u rin g February. Dr. L ittlejoh n, NCDHM chairman, and Dokey went to schools and the Shriner’s hospital to talk with children about dental health. Dokey was also a featured guest on a local children’s television program. Also broadcast on another station was an interview with Dr. Littlejohn and Dokey concerning the relationship of nutrition and oral health.
Cham paign, 111: Members of the dental a u x ilia ry an d the dental hygiene association in Champaign vis ited the pediatric wards within the three local hospitals. Every child re ceived a toothbrush, coloring book, button, and pamphlets. Dental health m o n th p osters were d is p la y e d throughout the hospitals. West Chatham , Mass: The Cape Cod District Dental Society purchased 26 copies of the Tooth Survival Book for distribution to each elementary school on Cape Cod and on the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Each copy was stamped “ C om pli ments of the Cape Cod District Dental Society.” Roanoke, Va: The Auxiliary to the Roanoke Valley Dental Society ar ranged in the reading rooms of area li braries a pamphlet display covering all areas of dentistry. Window displays, constructed in the library children’s rooms, featured all dental-related books for children, posters, charts, toothbrushes, floss, and disclosing tablets.
Media Lafayette, La: In a cooperative pro ject w ith a local newspaper, the Lafayette D aily A dvertizer, members of the Acadiana Dental Auxiliary sold advertising space in the paper to local pharmacists and grocers. In exchange, the A dvertizer published two full pages of NCDHM articles and photo graphs during February. Jonesboro, A rk: A “ Smile Line” telephone number was publicized in local newspapers in the Jonesboro area. Readers were invited to call the Smile Line number on Monday or Tuesday from 6 to 8 pm , during NCDHM to receive answers to their dental inquiries. Members of the Jonesboro chapter of the Crowley’s Ridge Study Club provided answers for those who called. Lackaw anna County, Pa: In recog nition of the need to provide dental health information for all age groups, members of the Scranton District Den tal Society conducted a radio cam paign. Each week of NCDHM, a society member participated in a radio inter view that addressed the concerns of specific age groups. Areas covered in cluded geriatric dental care, oral and cosmetic dental surgery, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry.
REPORTS
Louisville, Ky: Four eighth-grade students from Lyman T. Johnson M id dle School presented a program on a cable television station in Louisville. Each student discussed dental health subjects relevant to children. Posters, films, and demonstrations were used to enhance their program. Roanoke, Va: A “media blitz” coor d in ate d by the A u x ilia ry to the Roanoke Valley Dental Society was a successful endeavor. Dental health in formation columns were placed in newspapers, as well as articles de scribing the local NCDHM activities; special information on the relation ship of nutrition and dental health ap peared in the food guide section, and dental health crossword puzzles in a special section for children. Car cards were placed in buses and electronic marquees flashed the NCDHM slogan throughout the month. Television coverage included an interview with a local pedodontist. P rin ce to n , W Va: A n extensive month-long radio campaign was insti tuted by members of the Mercer McDowell Dental Society. Arrange ments were made with two popular radio stations in the area to donate time each day for airing the ADA pub lic service announcements during the month. In addition to the donated pub lic service airing time, the dental soci ety purchased, from the same stations, tim e fo r a i r i n g a 6 0 - se c o n d prevention-oriented announcement composed by the local society. Cranston, R I: Ask the Dentists, a 30-minute question and answer televi sion program, and Face to Face, a 30minute television talk show, both ded icated programs to dental health dur ing February. Members of the Rhode Island Dental Society were featured in the program. Corpus Christi, Tex: Members of the Nueces Valley District Dental Society and the auxiliary participated in a va riety of television appearances includ ing two 10-minute segments on Morn ing Magazine, several 9-minute seg ments on Tele Corpus, a Spanish pro gram; and a 20-minute children’s pro gram, Corpus Christi Museum. Also, arrangements were made for dental questions to be asked during the Feb ruary airings of Challenge Program, a game show for students, and dental health issues were featured on the State of the fiegion and the Speakers Stump shows. JADA, Vol. 103, September 1981 ■ 445