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A child’s smile can change the world, bringing joy and delight. That’s when you fall hopelessly in love with life. A bright smile is important to a child’s self-esteem. Smiles are not complicated. A perfect smile starts with excellent dental health.

Let’s give that to our children during National Children's Dental Health Month, February. It’s not complicated.

Clean your baby’s mouth as soon as you arrive home from the birth. Breast feed the child if at all possible.  Provide healthy food and water. Healthy teeth start the digestive process. 

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A first visit to a dentist is recommended before age 1 year old.

Baby’s first word will change your world. Teeth are needed for proper speech to develop in the first years.

The most common transmissible disease is dental cavities; the germs which cause cavities are transmitted to the baby by family members. That is why it is essential that all family members have excellent dental health.

Jessica A. Rickert, DDS

The number one reason that children miss school is because of dental disease. Parents, why not do everything in your power to stop dental disease? It’s not complicated. Brush your child’s teeth twice a day. Feed them nutritious food. Take them twice a year to the dentist’s off ice for a dental cleaning twice a year. Included in this visit will be instructions and fluoride applications. If there is a downpour in the day you visit the dentist’s office, you’ll wear a raincoat or use an umbrella, right? That is what sealants are for -sealants on the teeth are protection of the enamel from a harsh environment. They seal out decay.

Take charge ofyour child’s dental health today! Here are free ways to help:

Links to Resourses -Dental Organizations:

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids

National Childrens Dental Health Month | American Dental Association (ada.org)  Full Sets of Fun Activity Sheets-Question? Please email [email protected]

 

Activity Sheets - American Dental Association (mouthhealthy.org)

2021-NCDHM-Infographic.pdf (michigandental.org) - Poster for home & school

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YRGUTCl1KU - Excellent dental health during pregnancy

Children’s Dental Health Month: What You Need to Know About Kids' Oral Health | Smile Michigan-

ADA Watch Your Mouth Presentation (mouthhealthy.org) - Middle school oral health

https://www.deltadental.foundation

Government Health Departments:

Children's Dental Health (cdc.gov) - USA government dental advice

MDHHS_2018_HKD_brochure_Final_634786_7.pdf (michigan.gov) - Dental advice for children

www.education.ne.gov/nebooks/ebooks/powerofrolemodels.pdf  - Recruiting students into dentistry

 

Dental Companies:

Educational Resources (colgate.com) - Dental Activity Sheets

Dental Health for Kids – Children's Health (childrens.com) - Dental Activity Sheets

Free Kids Dental Coloring Sheets - Printable Activity Pages about Teeth (drbethkailes.com) - Dental Activity Sheets

https://www.kidsparkz.com/teeth.html - Dental Activity Sheets

Jessica A. Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) became the first Native American female dentist in July 1975. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan Dental School.

Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions

At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.

The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.

Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.

This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.

We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.

Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.

Levi headshotThe stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.

Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.

Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher