MONTGOMERY-The Oral Health Office of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) announces the winners of the fifth 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 2022. Carl Shamburger of Pike Road Elementary School in Montgomery County and Edith Tulibagenyi of Daniel Pratt Elementary School in Autauga County were chosen as the contest winners.
This year’s National Children’s Dental Health Month campaign focused on sealants, and the theme is “Sealants Make Sense.” State Dental Health Director Dr. Tommy Johnson said, “Cavity-preventing sealants on permanent molars reduce the risk of dental caries by 80 percent. The American Dental Association notes that sealants are an equitable way to prevent caries and help children enjoy a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles.”
Good oral health is especially important for children because attitudes and habits established at an early age and reinforced are critical in maintaining good oral health throughout a lifetime. 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 classmates.
Media Release/Tommy Johnson, D.M.D./ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
