Celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month

Published: February 25, 2026

A Conversation with Mirella Jabbour on Public Health, Healthy Dental Habits, and Protecting Young Smiles 

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of establishing healthy dental habits early in life. To mark the occasion, we spoke with Mirella Jabbour, DDS, MPH, Research Coordinator at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, about her journey into public health, the connection between oral health and overall well-being, and what families can do to support children’s oral health.  

Mirella’s Journey: From Dentistry to Public Health 

Mirella’s passion for oral health began during dental school in Lebanon, where she became aware of how closely oral hygiene is tied to overall health. Through community-based experiences, Mirella saw firsthand how simple daily habits, or the lack of them, can influence oral health, nutrition, comfort, and quality of life. 

These early experiences sparked her interest in prevention and awareness, helping her realize that promoting good oral hygiene early in life can create a lasting impact. 

Completing her Master of Public Health (MPH) at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin further shaped her approach, giving Mirella a broader understanding of the social, behavioral, and environmental factors that influence oral health outcomes. Two experiences during this time stood out: 

• Her practicum with Dr. Steve Kelder on the CATCH Healthy Smiles project, where Mirella supported prevention-focused, school- and community-based strategies to help parents build healthy oral hygiene routines for their children. 

• Her work on the Colgate Palmolive Fellowship in Nutrition, Oral Health/Dental Education, under Dr. Shreela Sharma, strengthened her understanding of the powerful connection between nutrition and oral health in early childhood. 

Mirella continues to work in research and program development, with a focus on designing initiatives that integrate oral hygiene into broader public health efforts across the lifespan.

Healthy Smiles, Healthier Futures 

Mirella often sees common but preventable oral health issues in children, including tooth decay and early gum inflammation. Cavities can begin as soon as baby teeth appear, and when left untreated, decay can interfere with eating, sleeping, speaking, and learning. 

She explains that oral health directly affects a child’s overall well-being. Dental pain can make it difficult to eat nutritious foods, sleep comfortably, and concentrate in school. Over time, poor oral health may also contribute to chronic conditions and widen health disparities. 

With early education for parents and caregivers, many of these problems can be avoided. Encouraging proper nutrition, consistent brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and timely dental visits help prevent issues before they start. Supporting oral hygiene early protects not just teeth and gums, but children’s physical health, learning, and long-term outcomes. 

Mirella’s Simple Steps for Strong Smiles 

For parents or caregivers who feel overwhelmed, Mirella encourages starting small and focusing on consistency rather than perfection. 

Simple habits can make a meaningful difference over time: 

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste (using age-appropriate amounts) 

• Supervise young children while brushing 

• Choose water over sugary drinks 

• Limit frequent snacking 

• Schedule the first dental visit by age one (or within six months of the first tooth erupting) and continue regular checkups 

These recommendations align with guidance from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which emphasizes early dental visits, limiting sugary drinks and snacks, and building consistent daily oral health routines. 

Mirella reminds families that oral health doesn’t have to be complicated: small routines are often the most effective approach. 

Building Healthier Communities and Future Researchers 

Mirella also highlights the importance of community-based efforts in advancing children’s oral health. Programs and public health research centers like the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living extend oral health promotion beyond clinical settings by translating research into practical strategies for schools and communities. Through outreach and partnerships, these initiatives strengthen prevention efforts and promote more holistic, equitable approaches to care. 

Based on her experience, Mirella encourages students interested in combining clinical practice with public health to seek interdisciplinary opportunities. Engaging in community programs, research, and public health training can broaden perspectives and empower future clinicians to make an impact not only in individual patient care, but at the population level as well. 

Looking Ahead 

What excites Mirella most about the future of oral health is the growing recognition that it is inseparable from overall health. She is motivated to contribute to research and policy that prioritize prevention, address social determinants of health, and strengthen integrated approaches across education, healthcare, and community systems, especially for underserved children and families. 

National Children’s Oral Health Month reminds us that prevention starts early, and that small, consistent habits can shape a lifetime of health. Through Mirella’s work and community partnerships, we continue striving toward healthier smiles and healthier futures for children everywhere. 

Building healthy routines step by step lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthier smiles and better overall well-being for years to come. 

_{Interviewed by: Shahd Elganainy- Graduate Research Assistant- Masters, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin.}