From the Oral Health Task Force - January 14, 2020

To celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month in February, the Oral Health Task Force is holding a poster contest inviting kids from Kindergarten through Grade 8 to submit designs that demonstrate how to have healthy teeth. Three winners, one from each of three age categories, will be selected and will be featured in a poster series at locations across Cook County and online in Oral Health Task Force Communications, over the next year.  

“This is a fun, creative way to engage kids of all ages and showcase what good oral health looks like to them,” said Paul Nelson, Chair – Oral Health Task Force. “We are looking forward to seeing what our young people submit and promoting their designs.”

The deadline for submissions is Friday, Feb 7. The fundamentals of good oral health include brushing, flossing, good nutrition, check-ups at the dentist and fluoride treatments. Artists are encouraged to use these themes. The Oral Health Task Force will review all submissions at its monthly meeting on Monday, Feb. 10, and select the winners. Winners will be awarded an oral health prize package including a $25 gift card to the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op and an electric toothbrush, and recognized publicly. The poster series will be then produced and displayed at a variety of locations 

Submissions can be emailed to [email protected] or delivered to the Oral Health Task Force/North Shore Health Care Foundation Office, suite 109 in the lower level of the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. Submissions must include: child’s name, age, grade, school, parent/guardian name, phone number and an email address. 

Any questions can be directed to the Oral Health Task Force at 218-387-2334. 

A poster promoting the contest attached as a PDF

About the Task Force
The Oral Health Task Force is a home-grown solution unique to Cook County, that works to provide dental care to the children of Cook County and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The Task Force provides community education on the importance of early preventative care and provides financial assistance that makes dental care more affordable and accessible, including transportation to appointments if necessary. In addition to leadership from the North Shore Health Care Foundation, the Task Force includes representation from:

• Grand Marais Family Dentistry
• Sawtooth Mountain Clinic 
• Local schools and school nurses
• Cook County Public Health & Human Services, and
• the Grand Portage Health Service.

The program has been made possible through grants from Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Cliffs Foundation, Cook County Community Foundation, Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, First & Second St Thrift Store, Grand Marais Lions & Lioness Club, Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, Medica Foundation, Minnesota Dental Foundation, Minnesota Power Foundation, North Shore Health Care Foundation, Northland Foundation, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and St. Luke’s Foundation.