National Children’s Dental Health Month 2019
“With such artistic talent, it really was difficult
picking one overall winner,”
said Dr. Samer Mansour, statewide NCDHM chair.
Sophie Hunt
St. Margaret Mary Elementary School
Jailene Martinez
Third grader from Heights Elementary
The following students were among the
statewide Top 10 entries and will receive
an Honorable Mention certificate:
n Elijah Vega – Age 8
Dan Flood Elementary, Wilkes-Barre
n Juleah Byler – Age 9
Martinsburg Elementary, Martinsburg
n William Brown – Age 9
Dillsburg Elementary, Dillsburg
n Ishan Powell – Age 9
Dan Flood Elementary, Wilkes-Barre
n Amelia Foor – Age 9
Tussey Mountain Elementary, Saxton
n Ella Bowers – Age 9
Swiftwater Elementary, Swiftwater
n Milton Gonzalez – Age 9
Dan Flood Elementary, Wilkes-Barre
The lesson plan kits included
instructions for entering the PDA-
sponsored, third-grade poster contest.
PDA annually awards $850 in monetary
prizes to the students who design the
top three posters. In addition, the first
place winner’s school and teacher each
receive $250. This year, the PDA Central
Office received more than 125 artistic
and creative entries for judging.
Mateo Cruz, a third-grade student at
Solomon Plains Elementary School in
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County was this
year’s first place winner. Mateo’s prize-
winning entry creatively shows a tooth
taking a shower with the headline,
“Up, Down, In Between – Scrub your
Teeth to Keep them Clean!” Mateo was
presented with his framed winning
poster and $500 prize by Dr. Brian Miller
on April 10 at a school assembly. Both
Solomon Plains Elementary School and
Mateo’s teacher, Ms. Tracey Dlugosh
received prizes of $250 each for being
part of first place in PDA’s contest.
PDA would like to acknowledge the
dedication of Ms. Judy Hislop, who
is the registered dental hygienist for
several elementary schools in the
Wilkes-Barre Area School District.
Upon hearing the great news about
the winning entries from those
schools, she said, “I thoroughly enjoy
encouraging the students, and the
poster contest is a fun learning
experience for them to present their
dental knowledge. I am actively
involved with over 4,000 elementary
students in eight different buildings
throughout the year, so when I see their
participation with the poster contest,
I am thrilled to see so much interest.”
Our second-place winner is nine-year-old
Sophie Hunt from St. Margaret Mary
Elementary School in Dauphin County.
Sophie created a space-themed piece
“Welcome to the Molar System,” that
shows that when you take the proper
steps, “Your Teeth are out of this World.”
Sophie received a $250 prize and a
certificate of recognition.
“Keep Brushing!” says Jailene Martinez,
a third grader from Heights Elementary
in Wilkes-Barre, who received third-place
recognition. In Jailene’s artwork, she
drew a dental office, with three teeth
as the patients. One is sadly covered in
cavities. Jailene received a $100 prize
and a certificate of recognition.
“Congratulations to our 2019 poster
winners. The third-graders brushed and
drew and came out with exceptional
posters. With such artistic talent, it really
was difficult picking one overall winner,”
said Dr. Samer Mansour, statewide
NCDHM chair. “I want to thank the
participating dentists, their staff, and
every school that submitted posters
for their continued support of NCDHM.
Building the foundation for dental
health is vital and with your support,
we make NCDHM a success every year.
“As the authority on dental health, we
are the best equipped to instruct these
young minds. Thank you for your efforts,
your willingness to teach and most
importantly, being involved.”
MAY/JU N E 2019 | P EN N SYLVAN IA DEN TAL JOURNAL
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