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Oral Health




Oral Health Program

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The Oregon Health Authority's (OHA) Oral Health Program works to make sure everyone in Oregon has a healthy mouth. The Program is based on the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors' (ASTDD) model for state oral health programs. The Oral Health Program works across OHA on these activities to increase access to dental care and improve the oral health of babies, children, teens, adults and older adults:

  • Creating systems to add oral health into overall health prevention goals and activities;
  • Collecting data to find oral health disparities and inequities;
  • Creating oral health policy;
  • Overseeing and supporting school oral health programs;
  • Providing oral health education for everyone of all ages;
  • Supporting healthcare providers to include oral health in their clinics for their patients; and
  • Providing opportunities to increase oral health workforce.

If you need help finding a dentist, please click on the orange button below. 

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February is Children’s Dental Health Month, and Governor Tina Kotek has highlighted the importance of children's dental health by issuing a proclamation.
The Oregon Oral Health Program held an art contest during February 2024. Thank you to all the amazing kid artists around Oregon who submitted their artwork! Here are the grand prize winners:


4-7 years old age group - June from Bend and Yuna from Corvallis

3 - June Muskox_Age 7_Parent CW Muskox.jpg    4 - Yuna Park_Age 7_Parent Yurina Song.jpg

8-12 years old age group - Julie from Portland and Felicity from Portland

6 - Julie Gille_Age 10_Parents Andrew and Yuliya Gille.jpg   9 - Felicity Ren_Age 8_Parent Sara Juveland.jpg

13-18 years old age group - Molly from Salem

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Remember, good oral hygiene includes:
  • Brushing your teeth using fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes, two times a day.
  • Floss between your teeth daily.
  • Visit your dentist regularly.
  • Use fluoride.
  • Choose healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables and cheese.
  • Drink water, low-fat milk and milk products (like soy milk).

Contact Stephanie Glickman with questions at: stephanie.d.glickman@oha.oregon.gov



Green background with image of tropical flowers. Text: COFA Islander Dental Benefits.Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizens who do not get dental care from the Oregon Health Plan (OHP-Medicaid) have a new way to get free care. Visit the OHP COFA Dental website or OHP COFA Dental Fact Sheet for more information. 



Oregon veterans may be eligible for additional dental benefits with the Oregon Health Plan. Visit the Oregon Veteran Dental Program website or Oregon Veteran Dental Program Fact Sheet for more information.






Orthodontic benefits - The Oregon Health Plan may cover orthodontics (braces) under very specific situations. View the OHP Orthodontic Benefit Fact Sheet for more information.


Blackboard background with school supplies in shape of rocket ship. Text: Back to school.

Back to school means more options for oral health services! Did you know that your school may be connected to a dental provider who comes to the school to offer dental services such as dental sealants? Ask your school if they have dental services, like a dental sealant program. Visit the Oregon School Dental Sealant Program website for more information.




Blue background. Image of classroom with cartoon tooth dentist. Text: Oregon Smile & Healthy Growth Screening

Oregon Smile and Healthy Growth Screening is underway! If you have a child in 1st through 3rd grade, then you may have seen information about the Oregon Smile and Healthy Growth Screening. This is an important opportunity to find untreated dental problems so students can follow up with a dental provider. It also helps Oregon have a better understanding of the health status of children in elementary schools. Visit the Oregon Oral Health Publications website for more information.


Resources

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Gray background of faces. Text: Healthier Together Oregon. 2020 - 2024 State Health Improvement Plan. September 2020

Healthier Together Oregon

Improving oral health is one of several activities being worked on to support the priority area of increasing access to equitable preventive health services in Oregon's State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP).

Image of brushing calendar cover. Blue background, orange grinning monster. Text: Brush two minutes twice a day! Keep a healthy

Brushing Calendar

To make brushing fun and rewarding, the OHA School-based Dental Sealant Program has developed a calendar that children can use to keep track of brushing twice each day. Please download the calendar in a preferred language.



Contact us by email at oral.health@odhsoha.oregon.gov or by phone at 971-666-8815 (voice or text)