Delta Dental of Idaho has launched the “Rethink Your Drink” Bottle Filling Station Grant Program to help combat one of the most common chronic conditions affecting children: tooth decay. Recognizing the link between sugar-sweetened beverages and poor oral health, the program encourages schools to make water more accessible by replacing outdated drinking fountains with modern bottle filling stations.

In addition to the installation of Elkay®-branded stations, participating schools will receive reusable water bottles, dental hygiene kits, and a ready-to-use educational toolkit—reinforcing healthy habits and preventive care across the school community.

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Program Objectives

The initiative seeks to support oral and overall health by shifting beverage habits among K-12 students. The program promotes water as the healthiest, most accessible option for hydration, aiming to:

• Reduce sugar consumption
• Decrease incidence of dental decay
• Encourage lifelong preventive health practices
• Improve equity in access to clean drinking water

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Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, schools must meet the following requirements:

• Be a K–12 institution located in Idaho
• Have an existing water fountain suitable for conversion or replacement
• Have fewer bottle filling stations than regular water fountains
• Preference is given to schools where 50% or more of the student population qualifies for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch (FRPL)

Priority will be granted to schools with limited hydration infrastructure and high-need populations, reinforcing the program’s focus on health equity.

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What Awarded Schools Receive

Each selected school will receive:

• A Delta Dental of Idaho-branded Elkay® bottle filling station
• Reusable water bottles for students and staff
• Dental care kits, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss
• A comprehensive educational toolkit featuring oral health resources and lesson plans

The combination of physical infrastructure and educational materials is designed to support long-term behavioral change in both hydration and oral hygiene.

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Application Process and Timeline

Schools can apply by creating an account on the program’s dedicated online portal. Each school must apply individually, even if part of a larger district initiative.

Program Timeline

• February – Application window opens
• March – Review period
• April – Award notifications and grant agreements
• June to August – Equipment delivery and installation
• January (following year) – Required reporting from grantees

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Follow-Up and Accountability

Grant recipients are expected to complete a progress report in January of the year following installation. The report will gather data on:

• Station usage
• Impact on student hydration habits
• Implementation of oral health education resources

These outcomes will help assess the program’s effectiveness and guide future funding cycles.

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Conclusion

Tooth decay remains a preventable yet persistent public health issue among children, and sugar-laden drinks are a key contributor. Delta Dental of Idaho’s “Rethink Your Drink” initiative offers schools a practical, evidence-informed solution: promote water consumption through accessible infrastructure and education.

By installing bottle filling stations and distributing resources that reinforce healthy habits, participating schools are positioned to create a more supportive environment for oral health, academic success, and long-term wellness.

Overview

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) leads a nationwide initiative known as National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) to underscore the importance of oral health in children. What began as a local event in Cleveland in 1941 has grown into a robust, national campaign recognized across schools, clinics, dental practices, and public health organizations.

The 2025 observance brings a renewed emphasis on year-round engagement, urging educators, parents, and dental professionals alike to treat every month as an opportunity to build healthy habits early in life. With updated digital materials, multilingual activity sheets, and new brushing calendars, the ADA continues to offer practical, inclusive tools for promoting dental wellness among young audiences.

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Why Children’s Oral Health Deserves National Attention

Childhood dental care is more than just brushing and flossing—it’s foundational to overall health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tooth decay remains the most common chronic disease in children aged 6 to 19 years. Left untreated, dental problems can impact nutrition, speech development, academic performance, and self-esteem.

NCDHM aims to prevent such outcomes by focusing on early education and positive habit formation. With consistent brushing, reduced sugar intake, and regular dental visits, most childhood cavities are preventable.

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2025 Materials: Posters, Calendars, and Coloring Sheets

To support this year’s campaign, the ADA has released a new set of digital materials designed to engage young audiences while empowering the adults who guide them. Rather than relying on traditional print posters alone, the ADA now offers materials in digital format for flexible use at home, in classrooms, and across community programs.

Available Resources:

• Digital Posters: Offered in both 8.5″x11″ and 11″x17″ formats, with fun, kid-friendly artwork.
• Coloring Sheets: Matching designs to the posters, encouraging hands-on interaction and message retention.
• Bilingual Options: All materials are available in English and Spanish, supporting broader access and inclusivity.
• 2025 Brushing Calendar: A 12-month visual reminder to brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Ideal for home use or classroom display.

These free resources make it easy to maintain momentum beyond February, reinforcing healthy habits throughout the year.

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NCDHM Program Planning Guide

For educators, program organizers, and dental professionals planning local observances, the ADA’s NCDHM Program Planning Guide is a comprehensive toolkit. It includes:

• Sample timetables for event planning
• Activity suggestions for schools and dental clinics
• A sample proclamation to involve civic leaders or government representatives
• Guidance on customizing presentations for different age groups

By offering structured yet adaptable content, the guide helps streamline outreach efforts and ensures consistent messaging.

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Publicity Tools to Amplify Your Message

Raising awareness is a core part of the NCDHM mission. To help spread the message across communities, the ADA provides additional resources tailored to media outreach. These include:

• Templates for press releases
• Broadcasting tips for local radio or TV stations
• Sample newspaper articles for local print and online news outlets
• Social media graphics for digital outreach

These materials help organizations promote free screenings, school presentations, or dental health fairs in ways that resonate locally.

Recommended outlets for publicity include:

• Local newspapers and community weeklies
• School and library newsletters
• Religious and civic group bulletins
• Hospital or clinic communications
• Social media platforms and parent groups

Effective outreach can turn a simple classroom visit into a community-wide event that benefits hundreds of families.

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The History and Evolution of NCDHM

NCDHM began modestly as a one-day event in Cleveland on February 3, 1941, and expanded into a national observance by 1949. The event grew to a week-long celebration in 1955 and finally became a full month-long observance in 1981.

Over the decades, National Children’s Dental Health Month has evolved into a national campaign with participants from all 50 states and numerous U.S. military bases abroad. It has become a cornerstone of dental public health outreach, featuring:

• Poster displays in public libraries and community centers
• Coloring and essay contests in schools
• Dental screenings and health fairs
• Classroom presentations by dental teams
• Tours of dental clinics for students

This wide reach emphasizes the ADA’s long-standing belief: Good oral health starts early—and should last a lifetime.

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How Parents, Teachers, and Professionals Can Get Involved

Whether you’re a teacher introducing oral health to your students, a parent looking for ways to engage your child, or a dental hygienist planning a school outreach event, there are multiple entry points to participate in NCDHM 2025.

Ways to Contribute:

• Distribute ADA materials in classrooms or pediatric waiting rooms.
• Host a virtual brushing challenge using the 2025 Brushing Calendar.
• Organize a dental health presentation in partnership with local schools.
• Encourage kids to enter oral health-themed art or essay contests.
• Create social media content using ADA templates to raise awareness.

The ADA’s mission is not confined to February. These resources are structured to support long-term engagement, building better dental habits that carry into adulthood.

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Developing Habits That Last a Lifetime

At the core of NCDHM is a message that remains simple yet powerful: Early prevention is the best dental treatment. Teaching children to brush and floss properly, limiting sugar intake, and attending dental visits regularly can prevent most common oral diseases.

The ADA encourages all families to:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth
• Drink tap water containing fluoride
• Eat a balanced diet and limit sugary snacks
• Visit the dentist regularly starting by age 1

These foundational steps are inexpensive and highly effective—and they can be taught through everyday routines, posters, songs, games, or hands-on activities.

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Conclusion

National Children’s Dental Health Month 2025 is more than an annual event—it’s a call to action. With accessible digital tools, bilingual resources, and a rich history of outreach, the ADA continues to equip communities to make oral health a daily priority for children everywhere.

Whether you’re organizing an event or simply teaching your child how to brush better, every small effort counts toward building a lifetime of healthy smiles.

For full access to downloadable resources and support materials, visit the ADA’s NCDHM page or contact ncdhm@ada.org with any questions.

Community outreach is a vital part of dental education, bridging the gap between academic training and real-world patient care. Through structured outreach programs, dental, dental hygiene, and dental therapy students develop both their clinical abilities and a deeper understanding of their role in supporting public health. These experiences not only enrich learning but also expand access to essential dental services in underserved areas.

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Why Outreach Matters in Dental Education

Outreach experiences offer students more than just extra clinic hours—they provide insight into the broader responsibilities of dental professionals. Key benefits include:

• Exposure to diverse patient populations with varied oral health needs
• Enhanced diagnostic and procedural skills in real-world environments
• Increased awareness of health disparities and systemic barriers to care
• Opportunities for interprofessional collaboration with other healthcare providers

By participating in outreach, students learn to approach dentistry as both a science and a service.

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What Students Learn Through Community Outreach

As part of their training, dental students often complete rotations in community-based clinics, rural health centers, mobile dental units, or nonprofit organizations. These hands-on opportunities are supervised by licensed faculty and designed to:

• Strengthen clinical decision-making under varied circumstances
• Foster communication skills with patients from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Encourage a patient-centered approach to treatment planning
• Build adaptability and confidence in non-traditional settings

This type of field experience complements classroom learning and helps future providers become more compassionate, resourceful clinicians.

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Outreach as a Graduation Requirement

In many academic programs, community outreach is not optional—it’s a mandatory component of graduation for students in dental, dental hygiene, and dental therapy tracks. These requirements are met through organized rotations at partner clinics and outreach sites.

Key elements of these rotations typically include:

• Faculty-supervised treatment of real patients in underserved communities
• Community health assessments to identify and address localized needs
• Team-based collaboration across dental and medical disciplines
• Reflection and reporting, helping students process their experiences and contributions

These outreach activities emphasize that clinical excellence should go hand-in-hand with civic responsibility.

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Mobile Dental Clinics and Regional Partnerships

In addition to traditional clinics, many outreach programs include mobile dental units—fully equipped vehicles that bring care directly to communities with limited access. These mobile units often partner with churches, schools, and community centers to provide:

• Exams and preventive care
• Fillings and extractions
• Oral health education
• Referrals for advanced treatment

Mobile clinics exemplify the flexibility and innovation needed to reduce geographic and financial barriers to oral healthcare.

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Building a Culture of Service in Dentistry

Beyond technical training, outreach programs foster a mindset of lifelong service and advocacy. Students witness firsthand how oral health intersects with social determinants like income, education, and access to transportation. These experiences encourage them to:

• Advocate for underserved populations
• Integrate public health principles into private practice
• Participate in volunteerism and policy reform after graduation

This commitment to equity and compassion becomes a lasting part of their professional identity.

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Conclusion

Community outreach transforms dental education into a holistic, people-focused journey. By stepping outside the classroom and into diverse communities, students sharpen their clinical skills, deepen their empathy, and gain a stronger understanding of the real-world challenges patients face. These experiences build not only better dentists—but better advocates, leaders, and caregivers.