We believe in an Oregon where every kid is healthy and ready to learn.
Through policies like Cover All Kids, we’ve made progress to get more kids health care. But there are still real barriers. Many families can’t get preventive dental care that kids need to be healthy and do well in school.
We can do better.
“We don’t have a dentist nearby, and it’s hard for me to get time off work. So when I found out that my daughter had a dental program right there in her school, I was so relieved. She gets regular check-ups now and sealants. I’m so thankful, I don’t know what I would do without it.”
Barriers to dental care are real. And our most vulnerable kids are affected.
According to the 2017 Oregon Smile Survey, dental health disparities still exist for many children in Oregon, with children of color at higher risk for cavities.
Percentage of kids with cavities, by population:
72%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
50%
Black/African American
64%
Hispanic or Latino
43%
White
59%
Asian
Together, we can make sure every kid in Oregon gets preventive dental services—in their own schools.
Oregon is committed to making sure all kids have the health care they need to reach their full potential. It’s time to ensure dental care is part of that commitment—not an afterthought.
School-based dental programs are a powerful way to put all Oregon children on the path to a stronger, healthier future.
Over the last five years, the Oregon Children’s Dental Health Initiative has helped students in more than 275 schools across the state. They have connected kids with dental health providers. They have taught them how to care for their teeth and given them toothbrushes and toothpaste.
School-based programs are in at least 22 of Oregon’s 36 counties.
We can build on this success by helping more kids get the dental services they need.
School-based programs are an equitable way to promote dental health for all.
In Oregon, 68 percent of children living in lower income communities have tooth decay compared with 44 percent of those in higher-income areas.
Children in grades 1-3 in rural areas were 11 percent more likely to have cavities than children in urban areas.