During the 2009-2010 school year, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), with the support of the Ohio Department of Education, is conducting a statewide oral health survey of third grade students in 400 elementary schools in Ohio.  The purpose of the survey is to measure the prevalence of tooth decay, dental sealants and other oral conditions and to collect information on parents' ability to obtain dental care for their children.  With parental consent, children in selected schools in each Ohio county will be screened by dentists and dental hygienists (see a map of Ohio showing the number of schools in each county that have been selected for participation.)   In addition to the oral health screening, students will be offered the opportunity to have their height and weight measured as part of a Body Mass Index assessment. 

Two videos have been produced that show how the survey is being conducted:

For use with Windows Media Player, version 9 and above:
Video for students and parents
Video for school administrators, teachers and school nurses

For use with QuickTime, version 7.0 and above:
Video for students and parents
Video for school administrators, teachers and school nurses

Statewide oral health surveys have been periodically conducted by ODH for over twenty years.  The most recent statewide survey was conducted in 2004-05 and provided important information on the oral health status of Ohio's children.  A report of the oral health findings from the 2004-05 survey is available, as is the latest statewide report on the prevalence of overweight among Ohio's third-grade students.

ODH staff are now contacting school district superintendents and principals of selected schools to discuss their participation in the survey. Please contact the Bureau of Oral Health Services, ODH at 614/466-4180 or via e-mail at BOHS@odh.ohio.gov for additional information or questions.

Last Updated: 09/28/09 

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