Oral Health

About BOHS Finding Dental Care Grant Funds Providing Dental Care Through Community Programs Oral Health Data and Publications Fluoride and Sealants Oral Health Resources

Oral Health

"Dental care remains the No.1 unmet health care need for Ohio children and low-income adults."

From Oral Health and Access to Dental Care for Ohioans, 2007

This data brief reports information from several recent surveys of the oral health of Ohioans and their access to dental care. A two-page executive summary is also available.

UPCOMING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Oral Health Training for Non-dental Professionals who Serve Children Aged 0 to 3 Years: Help Me Smile and Smiles for Ohio-Fluoride Varnish

The Bureau of Oral Health Services (BOHS) is offering training for non-dental professionals interested in improving the oral health of children and their families. Please view the flier for more information about these training opportunities scheduled for October 2008.

NEW RESOURCES

Recommendations on the Use of Dental Sealants

The Ohio Department of Health was represented on the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs expert panel on the clinical use of dental sealants. An executive summary of the panel's report is now available. The full report was published in the March 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

Guidelines for Oral Health Screening in Ohio Schools

These materials provide practical guidance for school nurses who choose to conduct school-based oral health screening. The guidelines include a training DVD (Part 1 and
Part 2) and a full color pocket reference guide for use when conducting the screening. Printed copies of the materials are also available to Ohio school nurses upon request by submitting a completed order form to BOHS. To find out more, click on Educational Materials for Health Professionals.

Dental Health Resource Guide for Head Start Programs

This comprehensive guide was designed for use by Head Start managers, family advocates and family service workers as a resource for facilitating access to dental care for Head Start children and their families.

NEW LOCAL ORAL HEALTH DATA

County-level data are now available through the Ohio Oral Health Surveillance System. A profile of the oral health in each Ohio county includes numerous measures of oral health status and access to dental care. A profile for the state is available as well.

Make Your Smile Count: A Survey of the Oral Health of Ohio Schoolchildren, 2004-05 describes results of a statewide survey of the oral health of thousands of third-grade students. Data are presented at the state and county level on five indicators of oral health: history of tooth decay, the presence of untreated cavities, the presence of dental sealants, urgency of dental needs and toothaches.

NEW WEB SITE

The Ohio Dental Safety Net Information Center (ODSNIC) Web site is now live! This Web site provides a one-stop shop for information of interest to those who operate dental safety net clinics or those who want to learn about them. The ODSNIC links directly to a large array of tools such as The Safety Net Dental Clinic Manual which provides extensive information about how to start a dental clinic or improve the operations of one currently in business. Look for updates of the Web site over the coming months as new features are developed, including distance learning opportunities.

For more information on these items or on other oral health topics, please contact us at:

Mailing address:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Oral Health Services
246 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Telephone: (614) 466-4180
Fax: (614) 564-2421

E-mail: BOHS@odh.ohio.gov

Last Updated: 10/03/08