National Children's Dental Health Month Published Jan. 31, 2014 By 78th Dental Squadron ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The 78th Dental Squadron will be celebrating National Children's Dental Health month starting Tuesday with a visit to the Robins Child Development Center. Alex the Alligator, the 78th Dental Squadron mascot, will be on hand with representatives of the 78th Dental Squadron to educate the children on proper oral hygiene and nutritional habits. "Oral health habits are something that has to be taught to children at an early age so that good hygiene and nutritional habits become good habits. It is important for us in the dental community to educate both children and parents on ways to keep their teeth healthy," said Capt. Kevin Nail, 78th DS Clinical Flight commander. "It's important for parents to take their children to a preliminary dental visit before the child reaches their first birthday. That first visit can help educate the parents on ways to help their child prevent dental decay at an early age and subsequent dental problems throughout their lives." Additionally, the dental squadron will visit schools on-and off-base. Additional information will be posted on the base electronic marquee signs. The American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children's Health Day in a one-day event on Feb. 8, 1949. In 1981, the single day event became a month long educational campaign known as National Children's Dental Health Month. For more information, call Lisa Sims, 78th Dental Squadron Chief of Preventive Dentistry at 478-327-8056.