NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. February 9, 2024 – February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM). One of the programs offered through Nevada County Public Health is the Local Oral Health Program (LOHP), which focuses on improving dental health for residents across Nevada County. Through education, resources, and school-based screenings, the program works to prevent cavities in children by helping families establish healthy life-long oral health routines.
Oral health for children is important. Tooth decay is the number one chronic disease affecting children and the reason for the most school absences. The LOHP provides school-based dental screenings to ensure children entering school for the first time have good oral health and that children with tooth decay are being connected to a dental home.
Brushing twice per day and flossing are important, but cavity prevention also requires regular checkups, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants.
During NCDHM, the program will be offering sealants to third graders for the first time as part of its school- based oral health program. “Children often miss their back teeth when brushing and this is where food likes to get trapped the most. Sealants protect those back teeth and reduce cavities by 80%,” said Jamie Hanf, Health Education Coordinator for the LOHP.
Third graders are a priority because this is typically the age when molars come out. It is also a critical time for oral hygiene, as children become more responsible for cleaning their teeth independently. During oral health screenings, LOHP staff also provide oral health education by showing students how to brush and floss correctly.
By expanding the program and making preventative services more available, the LOHP is addressing key barriers to good oral health facing children and families in Nevada County.
This month, in honor of NCDHM, you can find an oral health tip of the week on the Nevada County Facebook (@NevadaCountyCA) and Instagram pages (@nevadacountyca). If you would like to learn more about preventing tooth decay or need oral health resources, please visit www.SmileNevadaCounty.com.