Celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM)
This February, the IOH Foundation acknowledges the importance of NCDHM and asks our community (and beyond) to celebrate this important initiative.
National Children’s Dental Hygiene Month, celebrated every February, is a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of oral health in children. This month-long observance emphasizes the significance of developing good dental habits early in life to ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles. Through educational programs, fun activities, and community events, children and their families learn about proper brushing, flossing, and the benefits of regular dental check-ups.
In honor of NCDHM, we are offering the following opportunities for involvement:
- Students and licensed dental hygienists can volunteer their time at a mobile dentistry van, provided by our partners at Colgate, BSBF. Shifts are updated on a weekly basis and registration details can be accessed by visiting NCDHM 2025 IOH + Colgate BSBF Volunteer Site
- Everyone is also encouraged to make a financial contribution to the IOH Foundation, in honor of NCDHM. Donations received will be used to continue our scholarship and grant programs. To make an online donation, visit IOH-Donate Now – ADHA or Venmo to @ADHAIOH
Your contributions and enthusiasm help ensure that every child has the opportunity to enjoy a bright and healthy smile.
IOH Foundation Mission Statement
The ADHA Institute for Oral Health Foundation (IOH) was founded to advance the dental hygiene profession and expand access to oral care through scholarships, research grants and community service grants.
In collaboration with the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), IOH helps ADHA members meet educational needs, expand the field of dental hygiene and provide oral health care and education to their communities. IOH will continue to improve the public’s total health by increasing the awareness of and access to quality oral healthcare for all.
IOH is dedicated to:
- Empowering dental hygienists to improve the public’s health through community service grants
- Supporting advancements in the dental hygiene profession through research grants
- Developing dental hygienists’ access to educational programs through scholarships
Congrats to the 2023-2024 IOH Scholarship & Grant Recipients!
Associate Scholarships
Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures Minority Scholarship
Abigail Davis
Hu-Friedy/Esther Wilkins Instrument Scholarship
Cheyenne Natt
Gracie Schell
Kenvue Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Michelle Kenny
Hunter Morrissette
Karla Girts Memorial Community Outreach
Sidney Gregory
Baccalaureate Scholarships
Dr. Esther Wilkins Scholarship
Abby Rennau
Hu-Friedy/Esther Wilkins Instrument Scholarship
Kayla Barronton
Karla Girts Memorial Community Outreach Scholarship
Leidy Arpin
Kenvue Scholarship for Academic Excellence–Bachelor
Fabiola Luevano
Vy Vu
Wilma E. Motley Scholarship
Natasha Smith
Graduate Scholarships
Alice & Herschel Horowitz Scholarship
Katy Battani
Burch Equity Scholarship
Kristen Valenzuela
Dr. Esther Wilkins Scholarship
Rachel Thelen
Irene Woodall Graduate Scholarship
Renee Alexandre
Sarah Hoerler
Laura Jacob
Community Service Grants
Healthy Start for Texas Teeth Community Spirit Grant
Paula Harris
Mars Wrigley Foundation Healthier Smiles Program
Christine Armstrong
Angela Cameron
Beth Chartier
Kyle Isaacs
Sara Jambard
Holly Jorgensen
Mary Kelly
Aletha Lensing
Amanda Lux
Sonika Masih
Monica Nenad
Stacy Onofrietti
Kristen Redman
Yvette Reibel
Christel Riitano
Amy Shah
Shankisha Sizemore
Marjean Stamm
MaryJo Toscano
Rosie Wall Community Service Grant
Melissa Davis
Institute for Oral Health Foundation General Research Grant
Emily Ludwig
General Inquiries and Program Information
The ADHA Institute for Oral Health is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 36-3468143.
Questions? Email us at [email protected]