Tooth decay is still the number one chronic disease in children, and in most cases, it is preventable. In San Diego County, 1 in 3 kindergarteners in high need areas have untreated tooth decay. Untreated dental decay can cause pain and infection, leading to emergency room visits and hospitalization. It also contributes to poor school performance (could you work if you had a toothache?!), poor nutrition (who can eat healthy fruits and vegetables if their teeth hurt!?), and missed school days (how many times has your school health officer or nurse sent a kid home for a toothache?). In 2022, there were 828,202 school days missed due to dental-related issues, costing school districts nearly $60 million. It’s time to work together to prevent tooth decay among our students! Deciding what dental services your school needs can be complex and overwhelming. What are the options? Who provides these services? Should it be education for students and parents, or dental screenings and fluoride varnish, or should it also include dental sealants and other treatments? How do you start the process? Learn how La Mesa Spring Valley School District and the County of San Diego partnered to improve the oral health of their students. Let us share data and tools, including a decision tree and best practices, for successfully navigating dental services and improving student health and decreasing absenteeism.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the impact of poor oral health on your students' well-being.

2. Evaluate what dental services your students need.

3. Be able to select and implement the appropriate on-site dental services for your school.