Children’s Dental Health Month: Building healthy smiles from the very start
Every February, the American Dental Association (ADA) leads Children’s Dental Health Month, a national observance focused on helping kids build strong oral health habits that can last a lifetime.
This month is all about education, prevention, and access to care. From brushing twice a day for two minutes, to establishing regular dental visits, to supporting healthy diets, early oral health routines play a critical role in preventing cavities and setting children up for lifelong healthy smiles.
At Delta Dental of South Dakota (DDSD), we’re proud to support Children’s Dental Health Month—and we carry that mission forward all year long through programs focused on early intervention, education, and prevention.
How Delta Dental of South Dakota supports children’s oral health
Supporting oral health during pregnancy
Good oral health starts even before a child is born. DDSD’s Pregnancy Initiative focuses on educating both providers and expectant parents about the importance of oral health during pregnancy and early childhood.
Through this initiative, we work to ensure:
- Dental and medical providers understand the importance and safety of dental care during pregnancy
- Pregnant individuals receive education and resources to support their own oral health and their baby’s future smile
We promote oral health during pregnancy by attending conferences, health fairs, and community events across South Dakota, such as the South Dakota Perinatal Conference, the South Dakota Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Conference, the Ihanktonwan Community Baby Shower (Yankton Sioux Tribe), and the Sanford Perinatal Conference.
We also share this education through DDSD New Smile Kits, which help families start their oral health journey early.
Dentist by 1: Starting dental visits early
Cavities are nearly 100% preventable, yet tooth decay remains one of the most common chronic conditions among children. That’s why DDSD strongly supports the Dentist by 1 recommendation.
What is Dentist by 1?
Children should see a dentist by age one, or within six months of their first tooth coming in. Early dental visits help:
- Catch issues before they become serious
- Prevent early childhood cavities
- Establish a dental home and positive experiences with dental care
Untreated cavities in baby teeth can lead to early tooth loss and may impact how permanent teeth develop later on.
How DDSD promotes Dentist by 1:
- We provide Dentist by 1 brochures to medical offices during our Partners for Prevention trainings so families receive consistent oral health messaging from trusted providers.
- Our oral health educators share Dentist by 1 resources at benefit fairs, health fairs and community events, helping families understand the importance of having the first dentist visit by age one.
New Smile Kits: Supporting families from day one
Since 2011, DDSD has proudly distributed New Smile Kits to new parents as they leave the hospital after delivery. Each kit includes:
- Oral health education materials
- An adult toothbrush
- An infant toothbrush
These kits help families start healthy habits right away, before the first tooth even appears.
In 2025 alone, DDSD distributed 9,226 New Smile Kits to hospitals across South Dakota, reinforcing our commitment to early education and prevention.
Creating healthy smiles for the next generation
Children’s Dental Health Month is a reminder that prevention starts early—but it doesn’t stop after February. Through initiatives like our Pregnancy Initiative, Dentist by 1 education, and New Smile Kits, Delta Dental of South Dakota is working to support families with the tools, education, and access they need to build healthy smiles from the very beginning.
By emphasizing early intervention, education, and prevention, we’re helping children—and families across South Dakota—start strong and smile confidently for years to come.