National Children ’ s Dental Health Month
Third-Grade Poster Contest
Included in the lesson plan kits were instructions for entering the PDA-sponsored , thirdgrade poster contest . For decades , the contest has encouraged Pennsylvania third-grade students to demonstrate what they learned during their NCDHM classroom lesson by drawing a poster that reflects their oral health knowledge . PDA annually awards $ 850 in monetary prizes to the students who design the top three posters . More than 150 clever , well-designed posters were submitted to the PDA Central Office for judging this year .
Third-grader Hannah Hulton of Octorara Elementary in Chester County is our first place winner . Hannah ’ s colorful poster shared a slogan that simply encourages taking control of your oral health : “ Be the Boss , Brush and Floss .” Below the message was a happy tooth being hugged by a string of floss administered by a human-like floss dispenser and a toothbrush with toothbrush arms and legs . Hannah will be presented with her framed winning poster and $ 500 prize by a PDA member dentist at an upcoming school awards assembly . Octorara Elementary and Hannah ’ s teacher , Miss Jenny Lasak , also will receive $ 250 each for participating in PDA ’ s contest .
Christine Robinson has been the certified school dental hygienist at Octorara Area School District for over 20 years and has presented and participated in the NCDHM program since its inception . She has enjoyed this contest because of the creativity and learning experience that it provides for the students .
“ The enthusiasm of the third-grade students developing their own dental health poster creates a memory that lasts for many years . Some of the high school students in the district still joyfully recall the posters they made in third-grade ,” Robinson said .
Second place winner Tucker Carrigan , a third-grade student of Linglestown Elementary in Dauphin County , created a poster that demonstrated the importance of keeping a healthy smile . Tucker included the message : “ Brushing two minutes , twice daily , you can ’ t go wrong — to keep your teeth healthy and strong !” and illustrated teeth engaging in physical activities that would improve their health and strength . Tucker will receive a $ 250 prize .
Depicting the oral health battle between good and bad , our third place winning poster was created by third-grader Olivia Blight of Solomon Plains Elementary in Luzerne County . In her poster , Olivia shows two teeth kingdoms : healthy and decaying . The healthy teeth are fighting the decaying teeth with a toothpaste cannon . The message is simple : “ Protect Your Teeth .” Olivia will receive a $ 100 prize .
The following students were among the Top 10 entries and will receive an Honorable Mention :
• Ava Gower - Age 9 , Colonel John Siegfried Elementary , Northampton
• Shayla Dailey - Age 8 , Lingelstown Elementary , Harrisburg
• Tyler Kauffman - Age 9 , Colonel John Siegfried Elementary , Northampton
• Sam Lightner - Age 9 , Dillsburg Elementary , Dillsburg
• Grace Marshall - Age 8 , Kistler Elementary , Wilkes-Barre
• Hugh Salva - Age 9 , St . Michael the Archangel School , Coopersburg
• Jay Youn - Age 8 , Solomon Plains Elementary , Plains
NCDHM Events
The success of NCDHM is greatly accomplished through the promoting of awareness by our member dentists during a wide variety of events and activities . District and local dental societies , dental offices , community organizations and elementary schools sponsor and hold these educational promotions . With their outreach to the children and parents who reside within our local communities , they are able to share valuable knowledge about the importance of oral health .
“ It is vital to promote dental health to our children in order to decrease dental disease . Proper oral hygiene along with a balanced diet will help reduce this potential epidemic ,”
said Dr . Sam Mansour , PDA ’ s statewide NCDHM chair .
“ Our role as educators is but a small segment but an important one nonetheless . It is through the efforts and willingness of so many PDA members donating their precious time that makes this event such a success . In Pennsylvania , it is evident by the continued annual increase in our NCDHM participation .”
The following are just a few examples of the many ways that PDA member dentists contributed to the 2014 NCDHM program .
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