Center for Oral Health

Provides a space to advance knowledge and engage healthcare professionals from a broad spectrum of professions in learning about oral health

Initially funded by a grant from The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), COH developed a model to promote successful integration of comprehensive oral health care into an existing School Based Health Center (SBHC), focused primarily on early childhood and elementary/middle-school aged children of greatest need to assure the delivery of quality oral health education and preventive/restorative services. The program currently operates in two locations: Murchison Street Elementary- Los Angeles Unified School District, and Evergreen Avenue Elementary- Los Angeles Unified School District. Both schools have a combined population of nearly 2,000 students.

We all know that the burden of oral disease among children can have a direct, negative effect on their ability to succeed in school. Children and adolescents experiencing pain are distracted and unable to concentrate on schoolwork. Poor oral health has also been related to decreased school performance, poor social relationships, and less success later in life. With our presence in both Evergreen and Murchison Elementary, we hope to have quelled these negative outcomes that come with dental pain. We also hope to have promoted awareness, especially to the parents of these students with the prevalence of dental disease and it’s detrimental effects with academic outcomes and quality of life. In the advent of an expanding patient base, we have opened our 2nd school based program in Evergreen Elementary. With this addition, we have been able to see an influx of over 250 new patients in the year, providing more than $37,000 worth of charitable and comprehensive dental work.

Through the support of First 5 San Bernardino, the Early Smiles San Bernardino had partnered with various organization and clinics within the community to effectively reach and educate parents of high risk children. This oral health education for families begins with prenatal education and the establishment of a dental home by the time the child is 12 months of age. Emphasis is also placed on how the oral health of the mother affects both the infant's future oral health and the child's overall health. In fact, some studies show that periodontal disease has been linked to preterm labor. During this time pregnant women are evaluated for cavities, poor oral hygiene, gingivitis, loose teeth and diet.

The Early Smiles San Bernardino oral health education continues after the child is born, taking place at Well-Child Visits, school-based programs, nutritional sites and at Family Resource Centers. Participating families become familiar with their child's dental and oral health milestones, and educated on best practices in caring for their child’s new teeth. The goal of the program is to breed parents that are well-versed and proactive in their child oral health care and that no child goes without a dental home.

Our community partners include: Women, Infants and Children (WIC), San Bernardino County Preschool Services and State Preschools, Fontana Unified School District, Ontario- Montclair School District, St. Mary’s Medical Center, SAC Health System, Dignity Health, Pomona Community Health Clinic – Ontario, Mom & Dad Project, Hearts and Lives, HOPE Resource Center, Morongo Tribal TANF, Rancho Cucamonga Resource Center, Child Care Resource Center.

Center for Oral Health has developed an innovative program that is aimed at improving oral health outcomes in Sacramento County. The program delivers preventive oral health care at non-traditional sites, reaching out to families where they live, work, and play to deliver oral care, education, and navigation. The program targets the youngest and most vulnerable children in the county. This program works with families and children in kindergarten thru sixth grade within five school districts. The program assesses the oral health needs among underserved children, provides preventive oral health measures, and connect children with a dental home.

The Early Smiles Sacramento model promises to bring significant improvements to children and families that depend on Denti-Cal for their dental care needs. We are proud to partner with the State’s three dental geographic managed care plans, Liberty Dental Plan, Health Net, and Access Dental to strengthen the oral health infrastructure in Sacramento, California.

The Center for Oral Health in collaboration with the University of New England College of Dentistry is establishing a program that serves as a pipeline to develop culturally competent dentists with skills and experience in delivering quality oral health in community settings to underprivileged populations. As part of this program, final year dental students from UNE will be placed at COH's school-based oral health centers, community clinics and other sites (under development) for 12 weeks, to provide direct oral health services and in-turn improve access to oral health care for populations these clinics serve. The students will also engage in specifically tailored public health research and practice projects to further improve their understanding of dental public health.

COH offers dental care for Medicaid recipients. This is an innovative program that promotes an Alternative Payment Model that aims at achieving the Triple Aim: Improve access to care, reduce the cost of care, improve the healthcare experience.