Local Oral Health Program

The LOHP focuses on coordinating on-site dental services at public elementary, middle, and high schools in the county.

For questions or additional resources on oral public health from the San Mateo County Local Oral Health Program, email SMCOralHealth@smcgov.org.

The LOHP is funded by the California Department of Public Health under Contract 22-10196.

Why oral health is important

Good oral health is important for good overall health. Good oral health in children, youth, and families facilitates better sleep, nutrition, social-emotional development, self-esteem, school attendance, and academic outcomes.

Oral health interacts in two-way relationships with many body systems. Poor oral health can increase the risk of certain diseases, and diseases can worsen oral health. As examples, people with diabetes are three times more likely to develop gum disease. A severe form of gum disease during pregnancy—periodontal disease—has been linked in the research to preterm birth and low birth weight.

Tooth decay is the most common yet preventable chronic childhood disease. It is more common among lower-income children and families, communities of color, and immigrant families.

School dental programs

The LOHP works with dental providers and school staff to coordinate on-site dental services at preschools, elementary, middle, and high schools. Services include: basic screenings, education and preventive services like fluoride varnish and sealants.

Information about the state-mandated Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment for school staff and parents/caregivers is available on the statewide KOHA webpage here.

Local San Mateo County KOHA forms can be obtained by emailing the LOHP at SMCOralHealth@smcgov.org.

How Medi-Cal members can access dental insurance and care

Dental insurance coverage in San Mateo County for Medi-Cal members is provided by Health Plan of San Mateo Dental (HPSM Dental) managed care, and Medi-Cal Dental Fee-for-Service. Find contact information, dental provider directories, information about transportation, language assistance, and more at the links below.

• HPSM Dental | HPSM Dental 2027 Dental Coverage Changes
• Medi-Cal Dental Fee-for-Service | Medi-Cal Dental Fee-for-Service 2027 Dental Coverage Changes

If uninsured, please contact the San Mateo County Human Services Agency or Health Coverage Unit.

Key oral health informational websites

National

• American Academy of Pediatrics oral health information—includes extensive resources for the public and professionals, including evidence-based oral health literacy campaigns like Brush, Book, Bed and Protect Tiny Teeth.
• National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center—national resource for consumers, professionals, school dental partners, providers, and more.
• National Head Start oral health resources—contains extensive resources and educational information for Head Start educators serving ages 0-5, and for Head Start families.

State

• California Department of Public Health’s Office of Oral Health—webpage of the state Office of Oral Health, which funds and oversees all Local Oral Health Programs.
• Smile, CA website—Smile, California is the educational campaign of the Medi-Cal Dental Fee-for-Service program. It contains detailed oral health education and information for California’s Medi-Cal members and providers
• California Oral Health Technical Assistance Center—technical assistance center for California Local Oral Health Programs, with oral health education and information for the general public.

Local

• San Mateo County First 5 oral health webpage—our partnering First 5’s oral health webpage, with a social media toolkit and resources for families and providers
• San Mateo County Oral Health Coalition—our local Oral Health Coalition, addressing systemic issues in oral health access and education through collaborative partnerships. Anyone is free to join the Coalition, which meets quarterly.
• San Mateo County Community Information Handbook—a directory of community resources in the county, including some oral health resources

Keys to good oral health

• Community water fluoridation. Community water fluoridation is an evidence-based public health practice that improves community oral health, preventing at least 25% of tooth decay in children and adults, even with the use of other fluoride products. Research has consistently shown it to be a safe, effective, and cost-saving intervention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named community water fluoridation as one of the top ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.
• Access to evidence-based and recommended oral public health services. Of these, the LOHP focuses on school-based sealant and preventive service programs.
• For individuals and families:
  • Go the dentist as often as recommended for your oral health needs. Babies should start going to the dentist when their first tooth erupts, or by their first birthday. It is safe and important for pregnant people to visit a dentist.
  • Brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily at night. Parents should help children until they are around 8 years of age.
  • Care for baby teeth as you would permanent teeth. Though baby teeth fall out, they need to be kept healthy to allow for healthy mouth development, and to allow space for permanent teeth to grow.
  • Eat healthy foods like crunchy fruits and vegetables and drink water with fluoride, not beverages sweetened with added sugar like fruit juices or sports drinks.
  • Information about fluoride from the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Campaign for Dental Health, including a “Fluoride: Questions Parents Ask” infographic, and “Common Questions About Fluoride” infographics in English in Spanish. Other infographics from Smile, California about fluoride are available in English and Spanish.
  • Information about sealants—from Smile, California