Secretariat of Health Announces 12th National Contest for Oral Health

The Secretariat of Health calls for the 12th national contest to promote oral health in girls and boys through creativity and school participation. The Secretariat of Health, through the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CENAPRECE), in coordination with the Mexican Dental Association (ADM), the Ministry of Public Education (SEP), and Medical IMPACT Mx, presented the call for the 12th National Contest Drawing Smiles 2026, aimed at girls and boys in public and private primary schools across the country. This initiative aims to raise awareness among the child population about the importance of oral health and preventive habits, using drawing and painting as pedagogical tools that facilitate learning and appropriation of knowledge. Oral health as the basis for comprehensive well-being. During the presentation, the general director of Cenaprece, Rafael Ricardo Valdez Vazquez, highlighted that this contest, with over a decade of history, has allowed to consolidate a link between health and creativity. He pointed out that "health is not built only in medical services, but in everyday environments such as the home, school, and community", emphasizing that oral health is an essential component of general well-being. In his speech, he emphasized that adequate oral health is directly related to the quality of life, self-esteem, and comprehensive development of childhood, which reinforces the need to promote preventive strategies from an early age. He also recognized that oral diseases continue to be highly prevalent in the child population, which makes it essential to strengthen innovative actions that bring information to girls and boys in an accessible way. Creativity as a tool for self-care. On her part, the head of the Oral Health Subdirectorate of Cenaprece, Daniela Galicia Diez Barroso, explained that the contest seeks to foster self-care through creativity. She indicated that drawing allows girls and boys to represent and understand the importance of oral health in their daily well-being, promoting habits such as proper brushing and disease prevention. She highlighted that this approach contributes to building a prevention culture from childhood, facilitating the incorporation of healthy practices into daily life. Education and health: a strategic articulation. Education sector authorities emphasized the relevance of linking art with health promotion, highlighting that this type of initiatives strengthen creative expression, critical thinking, and meaningful learning. They pointed out that integrating health contents into artistic activities allows students to internalize knowledge more effectively, generating an impact on their comprehensive development. Contest bases and national participation. The contest contemplates the participation of primary school students organized into three categories: First and second grade, Third and fourth grade, Fifth and sixth grade. Participants must create a drawing with free technique, which will be evaluated in different stages, from the school level to the federal level, where a specialized jury will select the winners. Recognitions and incentives. Girls and boys who obtain first place in each category will receive: an electronic tablet, a trip to Mexico City to attend the award ceremony, official recognitions, oral hygiene materials. The results will be announced on October 19, 2026, while the award ceremony will take place on November 3 of the same year. Prevention from childhood as an axis of public health. The contest is held within the framework of the National Public Health Days, which reinforces its character as a promotion and prevention strategy. Through this initiative, the participating institutions seek to promote healthy habits from early ages, recognizing that health education is a key element to reduce the burden of disease in the population. A bet on health and child development. The 12th National Contest Drawing Smiles 2026 consolidates as a strategy that articulates health, education, and social participation, promoting child well-being through creative tools. In this sense, the Secretariat of Health reaffirms that prevention from childhood, accompanied by innovative educational strategies, is fundamental to reduce the prevalence of oral diseases and strengthen the comprehensive development of girls and boys in Mexico, highlighting the importance of building a self-care culture from the first years of life.