Prevention
It’s vital to instill good oral health habits in early childhood to ensure a healthy mouth throughout life. Dental caries (cavities) can spread from baby teeth to permanent teeth and create lasting damage. For pregnant individuals, there are clear connections between good oral health and positive maternal health outcomes.pregnant
Preventive oral health care—which means a child has access to regular oral exams and good oral hygiene— is key to improving overall health.
This starts with ensuring pregnant individuals have access to oral health care as well. Poor oral health can be linked to adverse birth outcomes.the Data
of preschool children experience cavities in their baby teeth. This makes dental cavities one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood.
Source: Oral Health in America, 2021
of children aged 6 to 11 have some form of tooth decay that requires treatment.
Source: Dye et al. 2017; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2019
of American children do not receive regular dental care because of social, economic, and geographic obstacles.
Source: Oral Health in America, 2021
of parents of children younger than 18 years have knowledge of dental sealants, and the level of awareness is even lower among low-income and racial- and ethnic-minority parents.
Source: Oral Health in America, 2021
Our Goal
Portfolio Overview
Systems or Systems Change
$1,033,497
$1,033,497
Education and Outreach
$1,702,041
$1,702,041
Direct Services
$1,208,894
$1,208,894
Social Determinants of Health
$99,450
$99,450
BIPOC Served
0
Programs Statewide
Our Impact
We partner with community organizations each day to maximize our collective impact and improve oral health equity for all. Hear directly from one of our partners, Chaffee County Oral Health Program, about its work on prevention.
