Supporting Student Oral Health

Oral health is critical at all stages of life, especially during the growth and development of children and adolescents. Poor oral health can negatively affect a child’s nutritional status, quality of life, school attendance, educational achievements, and emotional wellbeing.
Schools and districts can oral health care by promoting oral health literacy and implementing oral health screenings or a dental sealant program. Schools and districts may also choose to implement a school-based dental clinic.
Schools and districts can review the resources below for supporting student oral health and see the Selecting a School-based Oral Health Care Program webpage to assist them in selecting the right school-based dental program for their school community. 

Oral Health Literacy

Oral health literacy is an important component of good oral health. Children whose parents have low oral health literacy tend to have poor oral health. Starting at a young age, schools can impact this by providing students and their families with easy-to-understand oral health information.
 

Oral Health Screening in Schools

The Ohio Department of Health’s 2024 Guidelines for Oral Health Screenings in Ohio's Schools provides guidance to school nurses and dental hygienists on conducting oral health screenings in the school setting.
 
Oral health screenings in schools provide an opportunity to emphasize the importance of regular oral health care and routine visits to the dentist and can identify immediate dental needs. For more information on the Guidelines for Oral Health Screening in Ohio Schools, contact either the Ohio Department of Health’s Oral Health Program or School Nursing Program at BMCFH@odh.ohio.gov .

Dental Sealants and Schools

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that sealants protect against 80% of cavities in the first two years and continue to prevent up to 50% of cavities for four years.
 
School-based sealant programs are effective ways to provide sealants and improve the oral health of students who are less likely to receive dental care at a private office. The Ohio Department of Health School-based Sealant Program targets schools where 40% or more of the students are eligible for the state’s Free and Reduced Price Meals Program.

Options for Families

Some families experience barriers with accessing dental care, including a lack of local providers, no dental insurance, low oral health literacy, and high costs. There are options for families to receive routine dental care at reduced rates.

  • Dental Safety Net Programs: Ohio’s safety net dental services provide dental care to individuals with Medicaid and provide a sliding fee scale or free care to individuals without dental care coverage. These programs offer a variety of services such as: dental exams, x-rays, fillings, extractions, root canals and dentures.
  • Smile Help Now: Find affordable dental care provided by Delta Dental Foundation connects families with affordable no- or low-cost dental providers.
  • School-Based Dental Clinics: Many schools across the state have partnered with health care providers, federally qualified health centers, or community health centers to set up school-based dental clinics. These clinics can be mobile or stationary as part of the school building and are often part of a primary care school-based health center. 

Additional Resources

Last Modified: 5/29/2024 7:23:48 AM