Wisconsin Dental Association: Wanted — smiling children for annual WDA Smile Contest at State Fair

CONTACT: Carol S. Weber, APR, Director of Public Relations

PHONE: 414-755-4108 (direct)

E-MAIL: cweber@wda.org

WEST ALLIS, WIS., July 19, 2010 – Children, newborn to 16 years old, are invited to compete for the title of “best smile” at the Wisconsin Dental Association’s 23rd annual Smile Contest on Friday, Aug. 13 at the Wisconsin State Fair presented by U. S. Cellular.

Registration is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Jeffrey Scott® Activity Stage presented by 99.1 WMYX in the Wisconsin Exposition Center. The first 200 youngsters to register will have an opportunity to color commemorative smile buttons and get temporary tattoos.

A fun “Flossy La Tooth” show takes the stage at noon to teach children the value of good oral health habits.

Contest judging gets underway at 1 p.m. with first, second and third place prizes awarded in seven age categories and a special “tin grin” competition for children with braces. The first 200 participants will receive a collection of personal oral health products and educational items.

This year’s Smile Contest is made possible through generous donations of oral health products, prizes and financial support from D&S Dental Lab Inc., Patterson Dental Supply, Procter & Gamble/Crest, Saber Dental Studio, WDA Insurance & Services Corp., WDA Foundation and the WDA.

The first Smile Contest was held Aug. 12, 1988 at the state fair and drew nearly 200 participants. It was co-sponsored by the WDA and Alliance of the WDA, a group of dentists’ spouses who supported the profession through educational and political efforts. The alliance disbanded in 2001.

The Wisconsin Dental Association was established in 1870. With more than 2,900 members statewide, the WDA represents 83 percent of all licensed, practicing dentists in Wisconsin. WDA members are committed to promoting professional excellence and quality oral health care. The WDA is headquartered in West Allis and has a legislative office in Madison. It is one of 53 constituent (state-territorial) dental societies of the American Dental Association – the largest and oldest national dental association in the world. For more information on the WDA, call 414-276-4520, visit our WDA.org website and find us on Facebook, Flickr and YouTube .