FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tommy Johnson, D.M.D., (334) 206-5398
Mallory Rigsby, (334) 206-2978
The Oral Health Office of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) announces the winners of the seventh annual smile photo contest for third grade students in Alabama.
A boy and a girl were selected from photo submissions as the overall winners of the “Share Your Smile with Alabama” campaign for 2024. Chosen were Denia Washington who attends Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary School in Montgomery and Chase Johnson who attends Brewbaker Intermediate School, also in Montgomery. The third graders will be spotlighted in Alabama Department of Public Health marketing campaigns to promote children’s oral health in the state.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The theme for 2024 is “Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles.” State Dental Health Director Dr. Tommy Johnson said, “We sponsor this annual contest to bring attention to children’s oral health care and to remind everyone of the need to brush and floss their teeth daily. We also want to encourage community water fluoridation and promote the FDA-approved HPV vaccine for children beginning at 9 years of age.”
Good oral health is especially important for children. Cavities (also known as caries or tooth decay) are among the most common chronic conditions of children in the United States. Untreated dental cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning. Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than their fellow students.
The ADPH Oral Health Office is dedicated to preventing dental disease for Alabama's citizens by promoting and developing quality, cost-effective community and school-based preventive, educational and early treatment programs which emphasize the elimination of oral health disparities.
For more oral health information, go to ADPH's Oral Health Office.
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1/23/24
County health departments throughout Alabama provide a wide range of confidential and professional services. Contact your local county health department for additional information.
Mission: To promote, protect, and improve Alabama’s health
Vision: Healthy People. Healthy Communities. Healthy Alabama.