The happy smiles of 156 children, ages newborn to 16 years, lit up the Funjet Fun Stage in the Expo Center at the 20th annual WDA Smile Contest at the Wisconsin State Fair presented by U.S. Cellular on Friday, Aug. 10. The Smile Contest promotes dental health awareness while allowing children to compete for prizes.

Wisconsin contestants came from as far north as Weston. The contest also drew out-of-state fair visitors from Illinois and Texas.

The children smiled big for this year’s judges: Greater Milwaukee Dental Association President Dr. Paul Levine, WDA Milwaukee-area trustees Drs. James Morgenroth and John Moser and Brookfield dentist Dr. Neill Luebke.  As usual, it was a tough call for the judges, but they selected first through third place winners in seven age categories and a “tin grin” category for children with braces. Each winner chose a prize from a selection of age-appropriate items, such as stuffed animals, games, toys and gift certificates.

All children who participated received a “goodie bag” of oral health products including toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, brushing timer, stickers, sugarless suckers and other fun items. Contestants also had fun waiting for the contest to begin by watching the Flossy La Tooth dental health show, selecting a dental-themed temporary tattoo and getting their photo taken for their commemorative Smile Contest photo button.

View the 2007 photo gallery. 

Special thanks to 2007 Smile Contest contributors

We also would like to thank the many generous contributors of oral health products, prizes and financial support:

D&S Dental Lab Inc.
Delta Dental of Wisconsin
Dental Health Products Inc.
DenTek Oral Care Inc.
Patterson Dental Supply
Procter & Gamble/Crest
Saber Dental Studio
Sullivan-Schein Dental
Sunstar Butler
WDA Insurance Programs
WDA Foundation Inc.
Wisconsin Dental Association
Wisconsin State Fair

For more information on the contest or information on how your component can start one at your local fair, contact Heather Willette at 414-755-4110 or hwillette@wda.org.