Team Edwards to celebrate National Children's Dental Health Month Published Jan. 30, 2008 By Maj. Carlos Diaz-laboy 95th Medical Operations Squadron EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 95th Medical Operations Squadron, along with the American Dental Association, is celebrating February as National Children's Dental Health Month. This year's theme is "Everyone smiles in the same language." The Edwards dental clinic and the ADA are sponsoring numerous activities in observance of the occasion. A poster-making contest is open to children at the Child Development Center, Bailey Elementary School and Branch Elementary School. The 95th MDOS will also provide dental health presentations to children. Each February, the dental clinic joins dentists around the nation to talk about the importance of good oral hygiene, a well-balanced diet and regular dental check-ups. Attitudes and behaviors established at an early age are critical in maintaining good oral health throughout life. The yearly observance of children's dental health began as a single-day event in Cleveland, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 1941. The ADA arranged the first National Observance of Children's Dental Health Day on Feb. 8, 1949. In 1981, the program became a month- long celebration known today as National Children's Dental Health Month.