National Children’s Dental Health Month is observed every February in the United States, an annual campaign led by the American Dental Association (ADA) to help children establish a foundation for lifelong oral health. While the event focuses on education and awareness, a variety of free materials, digital resources, and community programs are available to support its mission. These resources are designed for parents, educators, dental professionals, and community organizations to engage children in learning about healthy habits. This article outlines the free offerings, their availability, and how they can be accessed, based exclusively on information from the provided source documents.
The American Dental Association provides a wide range of educational materials for National Children’s Dental Health Month. These include pamphlets, posters, teaching packets, and audiovisuals, which can be viewed and purchased through the ADA Store. For the 2026 campaign, the ADA continues to offer materials from the previous year, with new designs planned for 2027. Digital downloads are available for posters in two designs and two sizes: 8.5"x11" and 11"x17". Matching coloring sheets in two designs are offered in the 8.5"x11" format. All materials are accessible in both English and Spanish. Additionally, the ADA’s 2026 Brushing Calendar is available for digital download. This 12-month calendar is intended to promote year-round healthy behaviors, such as brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to help prevent dental disease. For specific questions regarding these materials, the ADA directs inquiries to the email address [email protected].
Beyond the ADA’s central offerings, other organizations provide supplementary free resources. The Indiana Dental Association’s educational outreach program, DrinksDestroyTeeth.org, offers a free app designed for interactive lessons about the effect of acid and sugar in popular drinks on teeth. The app features videos, a 3D mouth model, vocabulary, and a short quiz. Free curriculum resources are also available on the DrinksDestroyTeeth.org website. The American Dental Association also maintains a section of its website dedicated to resources for lifelong dental health, which includes printable resources and lesson plans for children of all ages. These materials cover topics such as how to choose a dentist, when a child should see a dentist, and what to expect at a visit. Specific examples include “floss-some” Valentines and Halloween pumpkin carving stencils designed to incorporate good dental health habits into holiday celebrations.
The ADA’s resources for National Children’s Dental Health Month extend to planning support for community events. The organization provides colorful posters, flyers, postcards, and tips for planning a successful event around the awareness month. The materials are intended for use by parents, educators, community centers, dental professionals, and dental societies. For those looking to bring speakers into educational settings, the ADA suggests contacting a local dental society to inquire about having a dental health month speaker visit a classroom.
Educational lesson plans are also available for older children. “Watch Your Mouth!” is a dynamic and thought-provoking classroom lesson designed for 7th and 8th grade students. The program aims to show how informed teens can make smart choices to protect their teeth and health. The “Healthy habits” section of the ADA’s educational resources emphasizes that caring for the mouth is as important as caring for the rest of the body. It explains that cleaning teeth and gums removes plaque, a sticky film containing harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay. To support broader health education, the ADA recommends showing the USDA’s “Choose My Plate” chart to children, reviewing the food groups, and explaining why each is important for healthy bodies and teeth.
The context documents also outline numerous other dental health observances and awareness months throughout the year, many of which offer opportunities for free educational materials and community engagement. While not all are specifically designated as “freebie” months, many involve the distribution of information, screenings, or promotional items. For example, Gum Disease Awareness Month in February includes the sharing of daily gum care tips and the launch of a “Healthy Gums Challenge.” In April, which is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, some practices offer free screenings and create educational handouts. World Oral Health Day, observed annually on March 20, is an initiative of the FDI World Dental Federation aimed at empowering people with knowledge and tools to secure good oral health. Its global campaign targets governments, policymakers, the healthcare community, schools, and individuals to help reduce the burden of oral diseases and raise awareness of the importance of oral hygiene. Other months like Dental Hygiene Month in October and TMJ Awareness Month in November often involve educational campaigns and the distribution of informational resources.
It is important to note that the primary focus of the provided source material is on educational and promotional materials for awareness campaigns, rather than on traditional consumer free samples or product trials. The free resources are largely digital (posters, calendars, apps, lesson plans) or community-oriented (speakers, screenings). The source documents do not provide information about free samples of toothpaste, toothbrushes, or other dental care products that consumers can request through mail-in programs or brand websites. Therefore, the available information is specific to the educational and awareness components of dental health campaigns.
In summary, a variety of free resources are available to support dental health education, particularly during National Children’s Dental Health Month in February. The American Dental Association is the primary source for downloadable posters, coloring sheets, a brushing calendar, and lesson plans, available in English and Spanish. Supplementary educational apps and curriculum materials are also provided by other dental associations. While these resources are valuable for promoting oral health, consumers seeking free samples of dental care products should consult brand-specific promotional offers, which are not covered in the provided source documents.