Pennsylvania Dental Association crowns statewide children’s dental poster winners

By AI, Created 11:23 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The Pennsylvania Dental Association named a nine-year-old Factoryville student the winner of its 2026 National Children’s Dental Health Month poster contest after judging more than 330 third-grade entries statewide. The contest highlights kids’ oral health habits and rewards students, teachers and schools for creative dental education campaigns.

Why it matters: - The contest puts children’s oral health in front of students, families and schools across Pennsylvania. - The statewide program also rewards dental-health education with cash prizes and recognition for students, teachers and schools. - The winning posters turn brushing, flossing and regular dentist visits into simple messages for young audiences.

What happened: - Third-grader Colin White, a nine-year-old at Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center in Factoryville, won first place in the Pennsylvania Dental Association’s 2026 National Children’s Dental Health Month statewide poster contest. - Colin received a $500 prize. - Scranton District Dental Society’s NCDHM Chair Dr. Thomas Langan, Jr. presented Colin with a framed winning poster and prize on May 4. - Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center and Colin’s teacher, Mrs. Holly Colvin, each received $250 prizes for sharing first place in the contest. - The contest was open to third-grade students in Pennsylvania public, private and charter schools. - PDA selected the winners from more than 330 entries.

The details: - Colin’s poster showed a firefighting dental trio and used the line, “Cavity Trouble? Brush, Paste and Floss Save the Day!” - Second place went to nine-year-old Asiyah Judy of Ramsey Elementary School in Allegheny County. - Asiyah’s poster used the slogan, “Tickle Your Teeth,” and showed a toothbrush making teeth giggle. - Asiyah received a $250 prize and a certificate of recognition. - Third place went to eight-year-old Nolia Durstine of Wharton School in Fayette County. - Nolia’s poster promoted a “2-2-2” rule: brush two times per day, brush for two minutes and see a dentist two times per year. - Nolia received a $100 prize and a certificate of recognition. - PDA named seven additional students to the statewide Top 10 and gave them certificates of honorable mention. - Honorable mention recipients were Raelyn S. of Oklahoma Elementary in Dubois, Lucas L. of Sheridan Elementary in Irwin, Liana M. of Conrad Weiser East Elementary in Wernersville, Piper B. of Swain Campus of Moravian Academy in Allentown, Aubrey W. of Dillsburg Elementary in Dillsburg, Isaac L. of St. Michael the Archangel School in Coopersburg and Annel R. of Muhlenberg Elementary in Reading. - PDA directs readers to more information about NCDHM and other dental health topics.

Between the lines: - The poster contest gives PDA a way to turn oral-health guidance into student-friendly messaging. - The prizes create incentives not just for children, but also for schools and teachers to participate. - The broad mix of schools and counties in the Top 10 suggests statewide reach rather than a single-region competition.

What’s next: - PDA points readers to its website for details on National Children’s Dental Health Month and other dental health resources. - The association’s broader mission remains promoting public health and dentistry in Pennsylvania.

The bottom line: - PDA is using a children’s art contest to reinforce basic dental habits statewide while recognizing young students who can turn oral-health advice into memorable messages.