gifts in action:

Record Numbers Hit During Dental Hygiene Month 2025!

America’s ToothFairy helps children build healthy habits by expanding access to oral health education through schools, clinics, community programs, and nationwide awareness campaigns.

This October, dental professionals and educators across the country came together to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month through our fourth annual My Smile Matters campaign. Thanks to generous support from Dentsply Sirona and Darby Dental Supply, we provided hundreds of oral health advocates with free resources to educate kids and caregivers about healthy smiles—and how to protect them.

How did My Smile Matters help children and families?

Through My Smile Matters, America’s ToothFairy helped children and families access oral health education and practical tools that support healthy habits and help prevent tooth decay. With more than 181,000 people reached in 44 states and four countries, this year’s campaign was our most impactful yet!

Free Resources Empowered Educators and Advocates

Participants in the campaign accessed two special toolkits designed to make oral health education easy and engaging:

210 individuals and organizations downloaded our educational materials
173 individuals downloaded the matching social media kit
Resources were used in public health departments, schools, libraries, outreach organizations, dental clinics, and more
Countries reached included Canada, Greece, Italy, and Peru

Although the campaign was designed to boost awareness during National Dental Hygiene Month, many organizations will continue using the materials year-round in their community outreach and school-based programming.

Social Media Amplified the Message

Across social media platforms, dental hygienists, educators, clinics, and community advocates helped spread the word that oral health is essential to overall health. Our posts received tens of thousands of views and strong engagement throughout the month, with activity peaking around Halloween thanks to our popular Rate Your Candy contest.

My Smile Matters gives educators and community partners the tools to teach children healthy habits and prevent tooth decay. Rate Your Candy contest winners include Evanna Y, age 11, of Harrisburg, NC, and (l-r) Vivienne H., age 8, of Sterling, IL, Desmond H., age 10, of North Plainfield, NJ, Charley D., age 3, of Norfolk, NE, and Mason L., age 10, of Ellensburg, WA (not pictured.)

Kids Rated Their Halloween Candy (and Won!)

This year’s kid-friendly worksheet helped children evaluate the dental danger level of their Halloween candy—while reinforcing practical ways to protect their teeth from the Mouth Monsters.

Five lucky winners received $100 Visa gift cards in recognition of their tooth-friendly thinking:

Desmond H., age 10 – North Plainfield, NJ
Vivienne H., age 8 – Sterling, IL
Mason L., age 10 – Ellensburg, WA
Evanna Y., age 11 – Harrisburg, NC
Charley D., age 3 – Norfolk, NE

Want to try the worksheet with your family, school, or clinic?
Download the Halloween worksheet
Download the Rating Chart

2025 Outstanding Dental Hygienists Honored

Each year during the campaign, we recognize five Outstanding Dental Hygienists who go above and beyond to serve children in their communities. Their stories reflect the power of compassion, innovation, and access.

These inspiring professionals remove barriers, ease fears, and deliver care with empathy. They represent the heart of our campaign and the future of preventive oral health.

This year’s honorees included:

Sade Morel, RDHAP (Mentone, CA) – Sensory-friendly and mobile care for children with special needs
Christine Sanaphay (Peoria, AZ) – Global service and local volunteerism with TeamSmile and Special Olympics
Crystal Spring, RDH (Bozeman, MT) – Founder of Smiles Across Montana, bringing mobile and teledental services to tribal and rural areas
Lisa Valdez, RDH (Denver, CO) – Decades of outreach and leadership through Kids In Need of Dentistry
Jennifer Nowotney, RDHAP (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) – Nonprofit and mobile dental outreach as “The Friendly Flosser”

Thank You for Helping Kids LEARN ABOUT HEALTHY SMILES!

We’re deeply grateful to our supporters, especially Dentsply Sirona and Darby Dental Supply, for helping us expand access to oral health education during this campaign.

Together, we’re not only addressing health disparities—we’re building a culture where every child grows up with the knowledge and confidence to protect their smile. By equipping educators, dental professionals, and community advocates with free oral health resources, America’s ToothFairy helps children build healthy habits early and reduces barriers to prevention.

Want to get involved in 2026?‍

Help more children build healthy habits that last a lifetime. Support America’s ToothFairy and bring oral health education to communities that need it most.

To learn more about sponsoring or joining My Smile Matters in 2026, contact us at AmericasToothFairy@ncohf.org.

‍