Early Smiles California Transforms Lives With School-Based Dental Care
The Center for Oral Health’s policy brief highlights the success of Early Smiles California, an innovative school-based dental program, and calls for $10 million in funding to expand it statewide. This initiative promises significant savings and improved health outcomes by providing essential dental care to children across California.
The Center for Oral Health has unveiled a policy brief showcasing the success of Early Smiles California, an innovative school-based dental program that has already demonstrated significant cost and resource savings. The brief advocates for a $10 million allocation in the state budget to expand these programs to all public schools in California within three years. Emphasizing the necessity of Medi-Cal Dental reimbursements and annual oral health assessments, the Center for Oral Health aims to ensure comprehensive dental care for students from pre-K through 12th grade. Building on the Early Smiles Sacramento model, the program includes services such as dental sealants and fee-for-service referrals, aiming to reduce emergency department visits and healthcare costs. Lead author Tiffany Turner highlights the initiative’s impact on rural communities with limited dental care access, stressing the importance of fostering lifelong oral health habits. The Center for Oral Health calls on policymakers, educators, and healthcare professionals to support this cost-effective program, promising better health and educational outcomes for students. Click here to read the complete policy brief.
