Tuolumne County Public Health Department, Smile Keepers Program celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month

Tuolumne County residents are invited to join others across the country to celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Join the Tuolumne County Public Health Local Oral Health Program and Smile Keepers Program of the Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Office as we bring awareness to the importance of childhood dental care.

Dental cavities are one of the most common chronic conditions in children, four times more common than childhood asthma and three times more likely than childhood obesity. Some good news is that with proper care and treatment, childhood dental conditions can largely be prevented. Dental health is also very important for a child’s educational and social development, as poor oral health has been associated with greater odds of poor academic performance. In the long term, poor oral health may have detrimental effects on overall school attendance, as well.

Disparities in oral health can cause children to miss school and even hinder their social development.

The Smile Keepers and Local Oral Health Program have partnered in recent years to promote children’s dental health and bring children’s dental screenings to many local schools. Our local Smile Keepers are recognized statewide as leaders in providing in-school services, and the Local Oral Health Program is glad to support the provision of free dental screening services in our local public schools.

Both programs recently presented at the American Public Health Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, highlighting Tuolumne County’s ongoing efforts to support oral health to a national audience.

We invite you to learn more about how to promote good oral health for the children in your life with the tips and resources below.

Dental care tips for children

• Brush twice a day for two minutes. As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, help them brush twice a day, in the morning and at bedtime.

• Floss daily. Help your child floss between their teeth as soon as they have two teeth that touch.

• See the dentist twice a year. Children younger than 21 should see the dentist for a cleaning and check-up every six months.

• Choose healthy foods and drinks. A balanced diet is an important part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Help your child make healthier food choices, and be sure to limit sugary snacks and drinks like juice and candy.

Visit the TCPH Facebook page @tuolumnecountypublichealth for more tips and events throughout the month.

For more information, contact Tuolumne County Public Health at (209) 533-7401 or Smile Keepers at (209) 536-2014. For more resources on dental health care, visit Oral Health Resources for Families/eclkc (hhs.gov) and National Children’s Dental Health Month/ ADHA. For more information about Smile Keepers Tuolumne County, visit Smile Keepers/ Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools (tcsos.us).