State Dental Association Announces Programs for Children

ALBANY, NY (12/11/2008)(readMedia)-- A creative contest for children, "Sugarless Wednesday," and school and public events are being sponsored by the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) during Children's Dental Health Month in February.

The association is promoting "Keeping Smiles Brighter," its popular statewide contest open to children in preschool through 12th grade. Participants are being asked to design a placemat that shares a message about good dental care. Entries are due March 6, 2009.

Sugarless Wednesday, a day devoted to helping children become more aware of non-essential sugars in their diet, will be celebrated February 27. Free teaching materials, posters, stickers and Sugarless Wednesday "survivor" certificates are available from NYSDA.

Educators, parents and children can obtain details about Children's Dental Health Month programs in New York State at www.nysdental.org or by calling NYSDA at 518-465-0044.

The New York State Dental Association is one of the largest state constituents of the American Dental Association and represents more than 13,000 of the state's practicing dentists. In the last decade, NYSDA has received more than a dozen national awards for its Children's Dental Health Month programs.

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