The Center for Oral Health Urges State Legislators to Fund School-Based Dental Care Programs to Reduce Healthcare Costs and Improve Oral Health Outcomes
09 Julio 2024 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
The Center for Oral Health (Center) has released a comprehensive
policy brief detailing the remarkable success of its innovative
school-based dental program, Early Smiles California. The brief
highlights significant cost and resource savings for families, the
healthcare system, and the California educational system.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240709859150/en/
Early Smiles California Screening and
Sealant Day (Photo: Business Wire)
The Center for Oral Health is calling on California state
legislators to allocate $10 million in the upcoming budget to
expand school-based dental care programs to all public schools
statewide within the next three years. Additionally, the Center
emphasizes the necessity of Medi-Cal Dental reimbursements for
dental screenings and oral health education, as well as mandating
annual oral health assessments from pre-K through 12th grade in
public schools. Oral health is fundamental to academic success and
overall physical well-being, making this initiative essential.
Early Smiles California builds upon the successful Early Smiles
Sacramento model by introducing additional services such as dental
sealants and facilitating fee-for-service referrals to ensure
ongoing dental care for children. Early Smiles Sacramento aims to
reduce emergency room visits for preventable oral health concerns,
saving an estimated $13 million in healthcare costs annually and
potentially saving the Sacramento County public an estimated $25
million annually in attendance-based funding.
Tiffany Turner, the lead author of the policy brief, stated,
“Leveraging our extensive experience in school-based dental
programs and strategic partnerships, we ensure that every child we
serve receives essential dental care. This initiative specifically
addresses the challenges posed by the scarcity of Medi-Cal Dental
providers within rural communities. We are committed to empowering
communities and fostering lifelong oral health habits among
children, paving the way for a healthier future for generations to
come.”
The report emphasizes the urgent need to establish school-based
oral health programs in public schools across California,
especially in rural communities that face a shortage of Medi-Cal
dental providers and a lack of access to affordable dental care. By
addressing dental issues early and removing barriers to care, Early
Smiles California contributes to better long-term health outcomes
and educational achievements for students.
The full policy brief is available [HERE]. Center for Oral
Health invites policymakers, educators, students and their
families, and healthcare professionals to review the findings and
join in supporting this life-changing and cost-effective
program.
About Early Smiles California
Early Smiles California is managed by the Center for Oral Health
and funded by private donors and in-kind support. The program is
dedicated to educating students and families about oral health and
conducting dental screenings to assess children for caries, caries
experience, untreated decay, and urgent dental treatment needs. It
also offers fluoride varnish treatments, dental sealants, and
connects families to a dental home. To learn more, visit Center for
Oral Health's website or call (619) 823-2699.
About The Center for Oral Health
Founded in 1985, the Center for Oral Health is a California
non-profit organization committed to improving oral health,
particularly for vulnerable populations, through innovation,
research, education, and advocacy. For more information, visit
Center for Oral Health's website.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240709859150/en/
Media Contact: Tiffany Turner, MBA, MPH Chief Operations Officer
Center for Oral Health tturner@tc4oh.org (619) 823-2699