National Children ’ s Dental Health Month 2022
Our second-place winner is eight-year-old Jordyn Sylvester from Smithfield Elementary in East Stroudsburg . Jordyn designed a poster also honoring this year ’ s theme by creating the superhero , “ Captain Sealant ,” who is protecting a mouth from junk foods and germs with the headline , “ Resist Decay , SEAL Your Teeth Today .” Jordyn received a $ 250 prize and a certificate of recognition .
Third-place winner Malia Walker , an eight-year-old from Middle Smithfield Elementary in Monroe County says , “ Captain Sealant Remains Undefeated !” She also created a “ Captain Sealant ,” but this time the captain is a boxer fighting in the ring against tooth decay ! Malia received a $ 100 prize and a certificate of recognition .
“ Throughout this pandemic , we dentists have been challenged in caring for our patients . We have seen firsthand the consequences of dental neglect and the urgent and continued need to educate our patients ,” said Dr . Samer Mansour , PDA ’ s statewide NCDHM chair . “ NCDHM has been integral in the past , and though the pandemic has been difficult , the need to instruct never diminished . It continues to be vital to impressionable third graders on oral health .
“ In 2022 , PDA saw an increased submission to the poster contest , a testament to the efforts of the PDA staff and to the dentists and their staff to be involved . Thank you to all the dentists and staff that have volunteered in the past . Now , I challenge every Pennsylvania dentist to volunteer their time to this worthy oral health cause , not just during NCDHM , but year-round . Contact your local elementary school nurses . The sparkle in 9 – 10-year olds ’ eyes as they listen intently is unforgettable . You can help ‘ seal ’ their knowledge .”
Jordyn Sylvester Third grade student at Smithfield Elementary in East Stroudsburg
The following students were among the statewide Top 10 entries and will receive an Honorable Mention certificate :
• Paisyn Book – Age 8 , Dillsburg Elementary , Dillsburg
• Madalyn Colvin – Age 8 , Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center , Factoryville
• Barrett Deal – Age 8 , Dillsburg Elementary , Dillsburg
• Piper Farrell – Age 8 , Solomon Plains Elementary School , Plains
• Gittel Rena Schwartz – Age 9 , Scranton Hebrew Day School , Scranton
• Daniel Sosa – Age 9 , East Stroudsburg Elementary , East Stroudsburg
• Yohith Gnanadurai Yogesh – Age 9 , J . M . Hill Elementary School , East Stroudsburg
Malia Walker Third grade student at Middle Smithfield Elementary in Monroe County
MAY / JUNE 2022 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 17