Children’s smiles sought for Ninth Annual ‘Share Your Smile With Alabama’ Photo Contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tommy Johnson, D.M.D., (334) 206-5398

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Oral Health Office is excited to announce the ninth annual "Share Your Smile with Alabama" statewide photo contest. This competition is a great opportunity for Alabama parents and guardians to showcase their child's smile.

This contest is open to children living in Alabama who are

• Third-grade students OR
• Children 8 to 10 years of age who are homeschooled

For official rules and application form:

February is National Children's Dental Health Month. The ADPH Oral Health Office designates the month to endorse the benefits of preventive dental visits for children, encourage community water fluoridation, and promote the HPV vaccine which the Food and Drug Administration has approved for children beginning at 9 years of age.

A girl and a boy will be selected as the winners from photo submissions. The pair will be highlighted in ADPH marketing campaigns to promote children's oral health and featured in a statewide news conference on January 8, 2026.

State Dental Health Director Dr. Tommy Johnson said, "We want to remind everyone that healthy oral health habits lead to healthy smiles and tooth decay is almost 100 percent preventable. We are sponsoring this annual contest to bring attention to the need for children's oral health care."

The ADPH Oral Health Office is dedicated to preventing dental disease for Alabama's citizens by promoting and developing quality, cost-effective community and school-based preventive, educational and early treatment programs which emphasize elimination of oral health disparities.

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9/17/25

County health departments throughout Alabama provide a wide range of confidential and professional services. Contact your local county health department for additional information.

Mission: To promote, protect, and improve Alabama's health

Vision: Healthy People. Healthy Communities. Healthy Alabama.