This statewide school-based preventive dental program includes classroom oral health education, tooth brushing instruction, and dental sealants (plastic coatings placed on chewing surfaces of healthy molars). The program’s goals are to: provide classroom oral health education and guided tooth brushing instruction to elementary school children in Alameda County. Toothbrushes, floss and paste are provided. offer free dental screenings and sealants to second and fifth grade students who have permanent molar teeth. train all Head Start program staff in Alameda County in tooth brushing protocols and preventive oral health for preschool children. connect parents of preschool and school-age children with dental resources including government-sponsored health insurance programs.

Program Eligibility:

All Alameda County schools with free school lunch percentages above 50%. All Alameda County Head Start programs Schools are accepted in the education program on a first-come, first-served basis. (The program was offered to 126 schools this year, based upon free school lunch percentages. Last year 52 schools returned enrollment forms.)

Useful Information and Services:

Children in participating schools receive: Classroom oral health education Tooth brushing instruction Free toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste Free dental screening and dental sealants Head Start staff receives: Train-the-trainer program

Forms:

School Enrollment Form, CCDDPP

Contact Information:

Jovita Kerner, RDH, MA 1000 Broadway Suite 500 Oakland, CA 94607 Phone: (510) 208-5910 Email: Jo.Kerner@acgov.org