The Utah Oral Health Coalition’s new campaign, “Your Smile Matters.” This statewide effort is dedicated to promoting lifelong oral health for all Utahns by increasing public awareness, emphasizing preventive care, encouraging regular dental visits, and improving access to essential resources. An important component of this initiative will also be gathering statewide data on tooth decay rates—particularly among Utah’s children.
Your Smile Matters Scholarship Competition
Sponsored by the Utah Dental Association
Purpose
The Utah Dental Association invites students in dental schools, dental hygiene schools, and marketing programs to participate in the Your Smile Matters Scholarship Competition.
The primary purpose of this campaign is to educate the public on the significant impact of dental decay on children and youth. Dental disease is the most common chronic condition among children—yet it is almost entirely preventable. Untreated cavities lead to pain, infection, missed school days, difficulty eating and speaking, and can even affect a child’s self-esteem and overall well-being. Families often underestimate how much oral health influences a child’s ability to learn, thrive, and stay healthy.
Through this scholarship competition, we aim to raise awareness of these issues and empower youth, families, and communities with the knowledge that:
• Good oral health begins early and requires daily preventive care.
• Routine dental visits are essential for detecting and treating decay before it becomes severe.
• Healthy eating habits can protect teeth and prevent disease.
By engaging the next generation of dental and marketing professionals in this initiative, we hope to amplify creative and meaningful messages that inspire families to prioritize oral health and take action to prevent childhood dental disease.
Project Requirements
Participants will submit a multimedia campaign package consisting of:
1. Public Service Announcement (PSA) Video
• A short video (60–90 seconds) focused on improving children’s oral health awareness.
• Should emphasize preventive habits, the role of parents, and encourage routine dental check-ups.
2. Three (3) Visual Images
• Designed to be used as billboard and print publications.
• Messaging should be simple, clear, and directed toward youth and families.
3. Social Media Posts (3 total)
• Three posts optimized for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
• At least one post must highlight either:
o National Dental Hygiene Month (October), or
o Children’s Dental Health Month (February).
• Posts should be visually engaging and encourage healthy smiles through dental visits, homecare, or nutrition.
Campaign Emphasis
• Target Audience: Youth, children, and parents/guardians
• Core Themes:
o Prevention is powerful – small daily habits make a big difference.
o Regular dental visits matter – seeing a dentist every 6 months supports long-term health.
o Healthy smiles start at home – brushing, flossing, and smart food choices are essential.
o Dental decay is preventable – awareness is the first step to healthier futures.
Eligibility
• Open to all students currently enrolled in a Utah College/University enrolled in
o Dental Schools
o Dental Hygiene Programs
o Marketing/Communications Programs
• Proof of enrollment is required. This can include one of the following:
o Official Enrollment Verification Letter/Certificate
o Current class schedule with student name, institution and current term
o Tuition or Billing Statement, includes current enrollment and payment for classes, institutions name and student information
Awards
• Winning entries will be featured in the Your Smile Matters campaign across Utah through billboards, social media, and community events.
• Scholarship funds will be awarded to selected student winners to support their educational goals.
o 1st Place $4,000
o 2nd Place $2,000
o 3rd Place $500
Submission Guidelines
• All entries must be submitted electronically (video file + graphic/image files in high-resolution formats).
• Each submission must include a completed application and proof of enrollment.
• Deadline: October 15, 2025
• Send entries to: becky@uda.org
Selection Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on:
• Creativity and originality
• Clarity and effectiveness of oral health message
• Relevance to youth and children
• Quality of production/design
• Alignment with the Your Smile Matters campaign mission
All submissions become the property of the Utah Dental Association and may be used in future promotional, educational, or advocacy materials.
Your Smile Matters
Mission Statement
Your Smile Matters is a statewide campaign dedicated to improving the oral health of all Utahns by promoting prevention, education, and access to essential resources. We unite families, schools, dental professionals, medical professionals and community partners to ensure every person has the opportunity for a healthy smile and a healthier future.
Problem Statement
Dental disease is the most common chronic childhood condition in Utah, yet it is almost entirely preventable. Many children suffer from untreated cavities, dental pain, and infection, which directly affect their ability to eat, sleep, learn, and thrive. Families across the state—especially those in rural, underserved, or low-income communities—face barriers such as lack of access to preventive care, limited oral health education, and financial constraints. These barriers contribute to high rates of decay among Utah’s children, missed school days, and long-term health consequences that extend into adulthood.
Without a focused community initiative, children will continue to experience unnecessary suffering, decreased academic performance, and avoidable health disparities. Your Smile Matters aims to confront this problem by increasing awareness of oral health’s importance, promoting preventive practices such as brushing, fluoride use, and regular dental visits, and connecting families with the resources they need to support their children’s oral health. By addressing these gaps now, we can reduce childhood decay rates, improve quality of life, and set the foundation for healthier futures.
Dental disease is not limited to childhood—older adults also face significant oral health challenges that impact their overall well-being. Many seniors experience untreated decay, gum disease, and tooth loss, which can compromise nutrition, speech, self-confidence, and quality of life. Barriers such as mobility limitations, chronic health conditions, and limited access to providers increase the risk of poor oral health outcomes in this population. These challenges often lead to pain, difficulty eating, social isolation, and higher rates of systemic health complications, including heart disease and diabetes. Periodontal disease has also been linked to pre-term low birthweight babies, in addition to Alzheimer’s disease. Addressing oral health across the lifespan ensures not only healthier childhoods but also dignified, healthier aging for Utah’s older adults.
Campaign Goal
The goal of Your Smile Matters is to create a statewide movement that improves the oral health of all Utahns through prevention, education, and access to essential resources. This initiative seeks to:
- Increase public awareness of the importance of good oral hygiene, preventive care, and fluoride use through community outreach, educational materials, and school-based programs.
- Empower parents and families with tools, resources, and data to support lifelong oral health habits, including regular dental visits and effective daily hygiene practices.
- Reduce disparities in oral health outcomes by connecting underserved communities with affordable, accessible preventive services and by advocating for supportive policies.
- Collect and share data on oral health trends, especially childhood decay rates, to guide decision-making, strengthen advocacy, and measure progress over time.
- Build strong partnerships between dental professionals, medical professionals, schools, health organizations, and industry partners to unify efforts and maximize impact.
By achieving these goals, Your Smile Matters will help ensure that every Utahn—regardless of age, income, or location—has the opportunity to enjoy a healthy smile and the lifelong benefits of good oral health.
