Community Oral Health

Children’s Oral Health

• Dental health resources for Teachers and Students (see link) can be found here.

Cancer

This year, approximately 30,000 American will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer. Learn more about these diseases by visiting:

• Oral Cancer: How to Protect Yourself (American Dental Association)
• What You Need to Know About Oral Cancer (National Cancer Institute).

Dental Sealants

Dental Sealants help protect teeth from cavities by placing a protective coating over the deep grooves in back teeth.

Disabled Care

• The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research provides assistance to daily caregivers of the developmentally disabled. Click here to view Dental Care Every Day: A Caregiver’s Guide.
• Donated Dental Services (DDS) — Volunteer dentists and dental laboratories may provide needed dental treatment at no cost to those who are disabled, elderly or medically compromised. For more information, call 800.232.7645, or click here to print out an application.

Emergency Preparedness

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides information about how to "Be Ready" for natural disasters, bioterrorism and other emergencies.

Fluoridation

• The U. S. surgeon general is a strong supporter of community fluoridation. View his 2004 statement.
• Read the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research's statement about the safety and effectiveness of community fluoridation.

Pregnancy Guidelines

Pregnancy is a unique time in a woman’s life and is characterized by complex physiological changes. These changes can adversely affect oral health during pregnancy. Pregnancy and early childhood are particularly important times to access oral health care because the consequences of poor oral health can have a lifelong impact. Improving your oral health during pregnancy prevents complications of dental diseases and has the potential to decrease early childhood caries and may reduce preterm and low birth weight deliveries.
Learn more about the affects of your oral health during pregnancy by visiting:

• Oral Health Fact Sheets-Pregnancy
• Oral Health-Pregnancy (American Dental Association)
• Baby Steps to a Healthy Pregnancy and On-Time Delivery (American Academy of Periodontology)

Senior Oral Health

Developed due to the need for education and awareness on the importance of continued good oral health for older adults. This material cover issues related to oral health and the daily oral care of the semi-dependent and independent older adult.

There are special considerations that need to be addressed as people mature. The senior oral health fact sheet explains what specific changes take place and how treatment and preventive methods may need to change with time.

Tobacco Cessation

Tobacco use causes death and disease worldwide. Learn how to quit at U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U. S. surgeon general's tobacco cessation web page, or Smokefree.gov. You can also call 800.QUIT.NOW (800.784.8669) or 800.NO.BUTTS (800.662.8887) for phone support and to set up a personal plan