National Dental Hygiene Month: Oral Health Promotion Guide for Care Teams
Key Facts:
- Nearly 50% of U.S. adults 30+ have some form of periodontal disease (CDC, 2024).
- Untreated dental caries affect 1 in 5 children aged 5–11, disproportionally impacting low-income and minority groups (CDC).
- Every $1 spent on preventative oral care saves $38 in future restorative costs (ADA Health Policy Institute, 2023).
- Diabetic patients with treated periodontal disease incur 12–14% lower medical costs over two years (NIH-funded study, 2022).
Editor's Note
This article is part of the BHM Healthcare Awareness Series, designed to provide quick, ready-to-use content and links to official resources for internal staff communications, patient education, and social media.
Feel free to copy, adapt, and share.
Observation Date
October
History & Impact
Launched in 2009 by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program, National Dental Hygiene Month spotlights the “Daily 4” habits—brush, floss, rinse, chew—to improve population oral health. Health systems, dental clinics, and public-health agencies now use the observance to run screening drives, distribute hygiene kits, and educate communities about the oral–systemic health connection.
Why it Matters
Poor oral health is linked to heart disease, diabetes, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and avoidable ED visits—costing U.S. payers an estimated $45 billion annually. Prioritizing dental hygiene aligns with value-based care, patient-experience metrics, and health-equity goals.
Quick Actions for Your Organization
For Leadership
Embed oral-health metrics (e.g., annual dental visit rate) in population-health dashboards.
Integrate medical–dental data sharing agreements with payer partners to capture total-cost impact.
Sponsor on-site/virtual lunch-and-learns led by dental hygienists during October.
For Implementation Teams
Distribute ADHA’s “Daily 4” posters in clinics, breakrooms, and digital signage.
Add oral-health screening questions to EHR intake templates for patients with diabetes, CVD, or pregnancy.
Run a social-media challenge (#Daily4Smile) encouraging staff and patients to post healthy-smile selfies.
Resources
Ready-to-Use Assets
The following links provide resources & information for creating internal or external campaigns to support or promote this healthcare observance. Please vet these resources for alignment with your organization.
- ADHA National Dental Hygiene Month Toolkit – includes printable posters & social graphics
- CDC Division of Oral Health “My Water’s Fluoride” engagement materials
- NIH/NIDCR Oral Health Data Portal & patient-education handouts
- WIC Works
Talking Points
Copy & Paste Friendly
- “Healthy smiles matter—brush 2x a day, floss daily, and schedule regular cleanings. #NationalDentalHygieneMonth”
- “Oral health IS overall health: gum disease is linked to heart disease and diabetes. Let’s act now.”
- “Join our #Daily4Smile challenge—show us how you brush, floss, rinse, and chew sugar-free gum!”
Disclaimer: Please verify all information, usage rights, and related guidelines with the official observance organizers and your organization’s policies to ensure proper alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1 What turnkey assets can we launch immediately to promote National Dental Hygiene Month?
A Download the ADHA National Dental Hygiene Month Toolkit for posters, social graphics, and “Daily 4” handouts; upload them to your intranet, digital signage, and patient portals within minutes.
Q2 How can non-dental departments join the National Dental Hygiene Month observance?
A • Employee Wellness: Add a “Daily 4” pledge to your October wellness challenge.
- Population Health: Push oral-health reminders in diabetes and prenatal care texts.
- Community Outreach: Pair hygiene-kit giveaways with flu-shot or health-fair events.
Q3 What keeps engagement high after the kickoff of National Dental Hygiene Month?
A Schedule weekly micro-events—e.g., a 5-minute “floss break” demo on Teams, a #Daily4Smile photo contest, and a mid-month lunch-and-learn with a hygienist—then wrap up with a short survey and raffle to reinforce participation.
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