Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children and adults in the United States (1, 2). Healthy People 2030 focuses on reducing tooth decay and other oral health conditions and helping people get equitable oral health care services (3). We know that regular preventive dental care can address problems early when they are usually easier to treat (4). However, many people do not get the care they need, often because it is not easily accessible or because they can’t afford it. Untreated oral health problems can cause pain and disability and are linked to other diseases.
We believe that evidence-based strategies to help people access dental services can help prevent problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Individual-level interventions like topical fluorides and community-level interventions like community water fluoridation can also help improve oral health. In addition, teaching people how to take care of their teeth and gums can help prevent oral health problems.
Community Health Center’s School-Based Health Care Mobile Dental Services offers preventative oral health services for every student who enrolls. This includes cleanings, x-rays, sealants, fluoride, and health education approximately twice a year. This service makes it very easy for your child to receive preventative oral care. The visits happen during the school day - so students lose less classroom time and parents lose less work time than if visiting a community dentist. If enough students enroll, we will be scheduling a visit to your child’s school.
To Enroll your child visit us at:
www.sbhc1.com
References:
1. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. (2018). Dental Caries (Tooth Decay). Retrieved from https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/dental-caries
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019) Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Dental Caries and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999–2004 to 2011–2016. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/pdfs_and_other_files/Oral-Health-Surveillance-Report-2019-h.pdf
