Department of Public Health & Human Services

Public Health & Safety Division             
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Oral Health

Now Available!  Open Wide Oral Health Training

We are now offering a FREE oral health training for registered/licensed childcare providers.  For more Information use the following link

Open Wide Training Information 

or contact Shannon Koenig (406) 444-4572  or to register for the training use the following form.

Open Wide Registration Form

Early Childhood Caries Brochure 08

Montana's State Oral Health Plan

The dental health program promotes dental health activities designed to encourage good dental health practices and to help prevent dental cavities, gum disease and oral cancer. These activities focus on education to promote good dental health and risk reduction activities to reduce the occurrence of dental disease.

The promotion of dental sealants and monitoring of the fluoride content in drinking water in the state are examples of disease prevention activities. The organization and administration of the school-based fluoride mouthrinse program and the promotion of school dental screening are examples of additional activities focused toward the child population.

The dental health program identifies dental health resources available for local health departments, daycares and Head Start programs and collaborates with the dental community, public/private schools, local health departments, tribes and others concerned with dental promotion activities.

Montana Summit Information


    DENTAL SCREENING

    Dental screening is an appraisal activity just as hearing screening and vision screening are appraisal activities. An appraisal is NOT a diagnostic examination and in no way replaces a regular dental examination. Dental screening is a tool to identify emergent dental needs and, like all screening, has other benefits for the student participating in the event. It may help to build a positive attitude on the part of the student toward dental health, it may motivate some parents to schedule dental examinations for their child and the information from the dental screening may suggest areas of the health education program that could be enhanced.

    Specific information on dental screening can be found in the brochure, GUIDELINES FOR DENTAL SCREENING. This brochure plus the three part dental screening forms are available free and sample copies are available upon request.

    CONSULTATION

    The dental health consultant works directly with local health departments, tribal agencies, schools, daycares, Head Start programs, Department bureaus and sections and private organizations in their development and implementation of dental health programs.

    Technical assistance is provided regarding new procedures, services and resources for use in population-based dental health programs throughout the State.

    SCHOOL-BASED FLUORIDE MOUTHRINSE PROGRAM

    Tooth decay is still a disease which can require extensive and costly repair. Half of children and youth ages 5-17 have had cavities but effective methods to reduce dental decay are available.

    For school-age children and youth who live in fluoride deficient areas, a school program of weekly rinsing with a .2 percent solution of sodium fluoride is recommended for tooth decay reduction. The procedure is simple. Once a week, under supervision, the students swish the fluoride solution between their teeth for one minute and then return it to a cup for proper disposing. Supplies for this program are free to participating schools.

    Weekly mouthrinsing with a fluoride solution in school:

      * is effective and inexpensive. The materials cost 50 cents per child for the whole school year.

      * requires few materials and little time for the procedure; approximately 5 minutes per week

             * is easy for children to learn

      * is with permission of parents or guardian.

      * More than 50,000 students in 38 counties are participating in             

              school-based fluoride mouthrinse programs this year.