Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, with 40% of children having caries by the time they enter kindergarten.¹  Early childhood caries (ECC) can cause significant pain for children and can lead to oral infection, visible dental decay, destruction and loss of teeth, and damage to permanent teeth.  This can impact a child's self-esteem, sleep patterns, school readiness, weight gain, and more.  Child care centers can play an important role in the reduction of ECC by educating children and their parents on the importance of healthy oral hygiene.

Resources & Toolkits:

• Making the Most of Mealtime

• Family Style Dining Guide for Early Care and Education Centers

• 10 Tips for Being a Healthy Role Model for Children

• Caring for Our Children: Oral Health Standards

• National Maternal & Child Oral Health Resource Center

• Sesame Street Healthy Me, Healthy Teeth Resources and Activities

• Seasame Street Toolkit

• Teachers Crest Guide 

1. Pierce KM, Rozier RG, Vann WF. Accuracy of pediatric primary care providers' screening and referral for early childhood caries. Pediatrics 2002;109(5):E82. Available at : "http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/109/5/e82.long". 

Oral health is important for adults and older adults, yet it is often overlooked. There are a number of associations between common health conditions and oral health that may be surprising, such as diabetes, low self-esteem due to tooth loss, and osteoporosis to name only a few. 

Learn more about how to take care of your teeth, throughout your lifetime!

Colgate

• Adult Oral Care

Mouth Healthy, American Dental Association (ADA)

• Adults 40-60

• Adults over 60

Oral disease is almost completely preventable, but it still affects children and adults throughout Louisiana every day. In addition, oral health has a direct impact on many other diseases and conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Gum disease in pregnant women is also associated with premature births and low birth weight.

There are safe and effective ways to prevent oral health disease that everyone can adopt. These include brushing twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste, drinking fluoridated water, not using tobacco products, eating healthy, and seeing a dentist regularly.

•  2010 Burden of Disease Louisiana

• Louisiana Oral Health Fact Sheet

Dental sealants are thin, colorless, plastic coatings that are placed on teeth to prevent cavity formation. Teeth have tiny grooves and pits where bacteria can hide and damage the tooth's enamel. Sealants protect these grooves and pits from bacteria and help prevent cavities. While any tooth may receive a sealant, it is most common for children to have their 6-year-old and 12-year-old molars (first and second molars) sealed. 

The application of dental sealants is a quick, pain-free process. It first requires that the tooth be cleaned and prepared for the sealant. The sealant is then painted on the tooth surface, and the tooth is allowed to dry. After the sealant is placed, the tooth surface should look and feel the same as before. Sealants are very strong and should last for many years. The dentist will check the sealant at check-ups to make sure it is still intact. The sealant can be replaced with a new one as necessary.

Click here to learn more about school based dental sealant programs

The Louisiana Oral Health Program operated a school-based dental sealant program, Louisiana Seals Smiles, a school-based/linked program that targeted first, second, and sixth grade children in Louisiana.  The six-year program provided dental sealants and fluoride varnish to eligible children throughout the state free of charge while in their school settings. The program partnered with several key providers (The Health Enrichment Network, Health Centers in Schools, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, Primary Care Providers of East Feliciana, and Dental Caravan, Inc.) in 2014 to serve schools in various parishes of the state.  

During 2012-2015, a total of 7,824 children were screened and 4,283 received dental sealants in over fifteen parishes. Due to funding limitations, this program is not currently being operated.

Number of Children Who Received Preventative Dental Services 2012-2015

Source: Sealant Efficiency Assessment for Locals and States (SEALS) 2012-2015 

Click here to learn more about Louisiana Seals Smiles.

The safety and benefits of fluoride are well documented, and for 70 years people in the United States have benefited from drinking water with fluoride. Fluoridated water keeps our teeth strong and reduces decay by approximately 25%. This saves us money and helps us live better, healthier lives. For every dollar spent on community water fluoridation, up to $38 is saved in treatment costs for tooth decay.

In Louisiana only 43% of residents receive the benefits of community water fluoridation, compared to almost 75% nationally.  Does your parish have fluoridated water? Click here to find out! In 2008, Governor Jindal signed Act 761, which mandates that water systems with over 5,000 connections initiate water fluoridation. Learn which water systems are eligible for community water fluoridation here. 

In 1996, a study conducted in Louisiana found that Medicaid-eligible children who live in communities without fluoridation are three-times more likely to end up in the hospital to undergo dental treatment than Medicaid-eligible children living in fluoridated communities. The cost of dental treatment per Medicaid eligible child residing in a non-fluoridated community was approximately twice as high.

The Oral Health Program is working to increase access to optimally fluoridated water by working with partners and communities throughout the state.

Click here to learn more about Community Water Fluoridation.

Still have questions?

• How Fluoride Works

• Common Questions About Community Water Fluoridation

• Fact Sheet

Dental health is often a child's top unmet health need. This project also helps Well-Ahead Louisiana collect data in hopes of securing funding for future oral health programming for Louisiana students. Your child's screening results will be treated as private health information. All data collected will be reported in aggregate form, ensuring the privacy of both students and schools.

The Oral Health Program (OHP) is ramping up for the continuation of the school-based oral health screening program, Bright Smiles for Bright Futures, 3rd-Grade Basic Screening Survey (BSS).  During the summer months the program is busy planning, preparing and training to lay the ground work for the final round of this project.  The importance of youth oral health screenings provided through the Bright Smiles for Bright Futures, Basic Screening Survey is to produce statistical estimates on dental health indicators. Tooth decay is the #1 childhood disease that impacts the lives of children at an early age. 

This nationwide open-mouth survey is used by many states to have a consistent model for obtaining data for oral health improvement.   The survey is conducted in Louisiana schools statewide every 3-5 years and the first survey was conducted in 1997-1998.  Our state currently holds a “D” National ranking in overall oral health outcomes so providing a representative sample is crucial for developing needed interventions.

The next five-year BSS began in the 2016-2017 school year.  Louisiana’s school participation rate was low and therefore a representative sample size was not collected.  It was decided that the project would get an additional school year to collect the remaining data needed.  In the first year out outreach 33 of the 60 targeted schools participated in the project resulting in a total of 902 3rd graders screened.

Hygienists screened and educated all 3rd-graders students who participated.  Hygienist screen students looking for 4 oral health indicators including untreated tooth decay, fillings, sealants, and treatment urgency level for needed dental care.

Many participating schools gave the Oral Health Program (OHP) great feedback in regards to the education, resources and screening provided to the students by the hygienist.  The screenings have opened the door for further interest in evidence-based prevention programs (dental sealants and fluoride varnish applications) as some principals have indicated the need to have these programs in their schools.

This summer, the OHP was successful in sharing BSS information with Superintendents through the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Conference.  There are other innovative opportunities being planned for a better outcome in 2nd phase.  By the end of the 2017-2018 school year the program hopes to have collected data from 2,000 3rd-grade students in a total of 60 Louisiana schools! 

• Bright Smiles for Bright Futures BSS Report

• 2016-2018 Bright Smiles for Bright Futures BSS Schools

  • All schools who have been selected to participate have been notified

    • If you need additional copies of paperwork for your schools screening please use the links below:

      • Department of Education Superintendent Letter of Support -- here

      • Parent Take Home Flyer -- see it here

      • Educational Coloring Sheet – see it here

      • Student Consent Form – see it here

      • School Participation Form – see it here

      • Letter to the Principal – see it here

Fluoride varnish is a coating painted on a child’s teeth in order to prevent tooth decay.  Tooth decay if untreated can turn into a cavity.  If your child does not go to a dentist on a regular basis, your pediatrician can also apply the protecting varnish.  Fluoride is safe for your teeth and only takes minutes to apply.

The Louisiana DHH Medicaid Fluoride Varnish Policy published in December 2011 requires physicians to complete the DHH “Smiles for Life” Certification in order to bill for fluoride varnish applications in offices.

DHH Medicaid Fluoride Varnish Policy

•What is Fluoride Varnish? Fluoride varnish is a gel coating that is applied directly to the teeth to assist in preventing and potentially reversing cavities that have already began to develop. Cavities are the most common childhood disease, yet they are completely preventable.

•How much is reimbursed? Louisiana Medicaid covers reimbursement to medical providers at $24.19[1] once every six months for the therapeutic application of topical fluoride varnish for patients age 6 months to 5 years with a moderate to high risk for caries. (Billable under procedure code D1206.)

•What does it include? This HCPCS code represents application of the fluoride varnish, as well as performance of an oral health assessment, education of parents and anticipatory guidance. These services are considered inclusive and are not separately reimbursable.  HCPCS code D1206 is only reimbursable when performed on the same date of service as an office visit or preventive screening visit. Providers shall not require recipients to return to the office to receive the varnish application.

•Who can apply fluoride varnish? The only disciplines that may apply the fluoride varnish are appropriate dental providers, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. Physicians are responsible to provide training to participating staff to ensure competency in fluoride varnish applications.

•Who can be reimbursed?  Physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are eligible for reimbursement. In order to qualify, providers must review the "Smiles for Life" training module for fluoride varnish and successfully pass the post assessment.

“Smiles for Life” Certification Training (The physician must complete the one-time, one hour, online training to be eligible for reimbursement.):  Smiles for Life: A National Oral Health Curriculum, 3rd edition 

Interested in participating in the Louisiana Dental Loan Program? Find more information here. 

Smiles for Life Bright Futures in Practice: Oral Health—Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition is designed to help health professionals implement specific oral health guidelines during pregnancy and postpartum, infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence, and it addresses risk assessment for dental caries, periodontal disease, malocclusion, and injury. Contact the Oral Health Program to receive a guide.

• Smiles for Life: For Individual Clinicians

• Dental Professionals: Help Your Patients Quit Smoking

All medical professionals have steak in creating Healthy Smiles.  Physicians have the ability to do more than educate their patients on proper oral health.  Pediatric physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants, and medical assistants who work with infants and children can apply fluoride varnish to protect children’s teeth even before they have them.  This intervention will assist in paving the way to a beautiful healthy smile for the youth population they serve.

Smiles for Life Bright Futures in Practice: Oral Health—Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition is designed to help health professionals implement specific oral health guidelines during pregnancy and postpartum, infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence, and it addresses risk assessment for dental caries, periodontal disease, malocclusion, and injury. Contact the Oral Health Program to receive a guide.

• Smiles for Life: For Individual Clinicians

• American Academy of Pediatrics: Oral Health Fluoride in Pediatric Practice  

• Improving the Oral Health of Young Children Toolkit

Community Leaders in Water Fluoridation

Assumption Parish WW District 1 | City of Bossier City Water System | Shreveport Water

System | City of Lake Charles Water System | Calcasieu Parish WW District No 1 | E.

Jefferson WW District 1 | Gretna Waterworks | W. Jefferson WW District 2 | Lafourche Water District 1 | Thibodaux Waterworks | Natchitoches Water System | New Orleans Algiers Water Works | New Orleans Carrollton WW | Belle Chasse Water District | St. Charles Water District 1 East Bank | St. Charles Water District 2 West Bank | Houma Water Treatment Service Area | Schriever Water Treatment Service Area

Oral Health Champion Organization Community Leaders

Community leaders engage themselves in enhancing the oral health of our state through the purposeful work of the statewide Oral Health Coalition.  The Coalition includes both state and local organization who act as Oral Health Champions for the citizens of Louisiana. Check out who they are below!

Daughters of Charity New Orleans
Health Centers in Schools
Just Kids Dental, General & Specialty Dentistry For Kids
Louisiana Dental Association
Louisiana Dental Hygienists’ Association
Louisiana Department of Health
Louisiana Department of Health, Bureau of Primary Care & Rural Health
Louisiana Department of Health, Oral Health Program
Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association
Louisiana Primary Care Association
LSU Health Sciences Center, School of Dentistry
LSU Health Sciences Center, School of Pediatrics
Our Lady of the Lake Pediatric Residency Program
Southeast Community Health Systems
University of Louisiana Monroe
232-HELP, INC.

Healthy children learn more easily, and it is estimated that 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness. In addition, an estimated 17 million children in the U.S go without dental care each year. 

The classroom is a wonderful opportunity to teach children about the importance of oral health and staying healthy and active. Below are a number of resources available to help teachers and schools create a curriculum with activities and fun ways to teach children about oral health. 

• Promoting Oral Health in Schools: A Resource Guide

• Integrating Oral Health into School Health Programs and Policies

• Bright Smiles for Bright Futures Curriculum for Teachers

• Sesame Street Toolkit

• Crest Teacher's Guide

• Crest and Oral-B Dental Education Program – Educators Guide

• Bright Smiles for Bright Futures BSS Report

• 2016-2018 Bright Smiles for Bright Futures BSS Schools

  • All schools who have been selected to participate have been notified

    • If you need additional copies of paperwork for your schools screening please use the links below:

      • Department of Education Superintendent Letter of Support -- here

      • Parent Take Home Flyer -- see it here

      • Educational Coloring Sheet – see it here

      • Student Consent Form – see it here

      • School Participation Form – see it here

      • Letter to the Principal – see it here

School nurses can go to Smiles for Life for more resources on oral health and to do online training for continuing education credits. 

• Smiles for Life: For Individual Clinicians

The Louisiana Statewide Oral Health Coalition is a voluntary collaborative made up of individuals and organizations from throughout the state who are dedicated to improving the oral health of all Louisianans. The first major effort of the Coalition was to create a state plan for improving the oral health of Louisiana residents. The state plan is a method to connect these agencies, improve upon their work, establish collaborations, and reach more of the state's population. Furthermore, the Coalition has made a commitment to improve oral health by utilizing evidence-based, best practices that will better use the resources at hand.

Mission

To coordinate the provision of information, resources, and services so that all people of all ages can have excellent oral health.

Vision

A Louisiana where people of all ages have excellent oral health.

How can I contribute?

The Coalition is always looking for new methods and ideas for oral health programs. Membership is open to any agency, organization, or individual who demonstrates an interest in oral health for Louisiana. Your membership is desired and valued.

Areas of Focus:

•Access - Increase access to quality, comprehensive, and continuous oral health services for all Louisiana citizens throughout their life stages.

•Education - Through the use of linguistically appropriate, culturally competent materials and methods, empower Louisiana citizens to improve their oral health by changing perceptions and increasing awareness of oral health and hygiene practices.

•Prevention - Improve and maintain oral health, and prevent the progression of oral disease through interventions that address risk factors and at-risk populations.

•Surveillance and Evaluation - Maintain and expand a statewide oral health surveillance system to monitor the status of oral disease in Louisiana, improve oral health outcomes through implementation of evidence based strategies, and guide policy changes that will improve oral health for all Louisiana citizens.

•Workforce - Support the efforts to ensure the preparation, recruitment, and retention of an oral health workforce that is adequate and skilled, so that it may better serve the state's population.

How can I join?

Contact: LAOralHealthCoalition@LA.GOV

Member Organizations

Medicaid of LDH

Bureau of Chronic Disease and Health Promotions of LDH 

LSU Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry

Louisiana Primary Care Association

Louisiana Dental Association

Bureau of Primary Care & Rural Health of LDH

Children & Family Services, Head Start Program of LDH

223-HELP/Louisiana 2-1-1

St. Bernadette Community Clinic

Health Centers in Schools

Our Lady of Lake Pediatric Residency

LSU Health Shreveport

Capital Area Agency on Aging

Louisiana Dental Hygiene Association

Just Kids Dental

Excelth Inc.

Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs

Children's Hospital Mobile Dental Program

Kool Smiles

Louisiana Assembly on School Based Healthcare Centers

Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

AARP Louisiana State Office 

Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities of LDH 

The Health Enrichment Network

Southeast Louisiana Area Health Education Center

University of Louisiana at Monroe, Department of Hygiene

Southeast Community Health Systems

Iberia Comprehensive Community Health Center

Innis Community Health Center

Recording Quarterly Meetings

We will have the first one of these after our meeting on Friday

Oral Health Coalition Agendas & Meeting Minutes:

July 2017 Oral Health Coalition Meeting

The Fluoridation Advisory Board (FAB) was created legislatively through Act 908, of the 1997 Regular Legislative Session with the intent to assisting the Louisiana Department of Health to establish a fluoridation program for the purpose of promoting dental health of LA citizens, especially preventing tooth decay among children.

Members are appointed to serve on the board to support the initiation of Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) by promoting and educating on its invaluable benefits.  The Board is supported administratively by the Oral Health Program (OHP).

The OHP through the FAB identify and fund communities when sources are available to fluoridate. Monitoring and inspections of fluoridated public water systems and ensuring safe delivery of optimally fluoridated water and implementation is ongoing.

The Fluoridation Advisory Board (FAB) last met on June 2, 2017.  This board is comprised of invested Oral Health Champions throughout each region of Louisiana.  This board is the result of two different pieces of legislation that created this state mandated board:

Act 761

Act 312

FAB Agenda & Meeting Minutes

FAB Meeting Agenda June 2, 2017

 FAB Meeting Minutes June 2, 2017