February: Oral Health & Whole-Person Health
February highlights two important national observances that underscore the essential role of prevention, early intervention, and health integration in advancing oral and overall health.
National Children’s Dental Health Month, observed throughout February, focuses on raising awareness about the importance of oral hygiene education, preventive care, and early intervention for children. Establishing healthy oral health habits early in life is critical to preventing dental disease, supporting overall well-being, and reducing long-term health disparities, particularly for children and families who face barriers to accessing care.
This observance emphasizes the importance of education for children and caregivers, prevention-focused approaches to reduce the burden of dental disease, and improving access to dental care in underserved communities, with the goal of advancing equity in children’s oral health outcomes.
Learn more:
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American Dental Association – National Children’s Dental Health Month
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Frontiers in Dental Medicine – Editorial: Impact of overall health on oral health of children and adolescents
February is also American Heart Month, which draws attention to cardiovascular health and prevention. Growing evidence continues to highlight the connection between oral health and cardiovascular health, particularly through shared risk factors such as inflammation, chronic disease, and access to preventive care.
This observance reinforces the importance of whole-person, integrated approaches to health that recognize oral health as an essential component of overall health and well-being, and the role of prevention-focused models of care in improving long-term health outcomes.
Learn more:
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American Heart Association – American Heart Month
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American Heart Association – Gum disease may be linked to plaque buildup in arteries, higher risk of major CVD events
These February observances align closely with the Santa Fe Group’s ongoing focus on prevention, access, equity, and health integration. To explore how these themes shape the future of oral health and health care more broadly, we invite you to read our January feature article:
A New Year for Oral Health: Prevention, Access, Well-Being, and the Future of Care
