Programs & Services
Public Health
Oral Health Program

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Oral health is an important part of overall health. Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in the world today. It affects all ages and groups. It is preventable!

The goal of the Oral Health Program is to promote good oral health for people of all ages within the community. The Oral Health Program has two components - primary health services and the Public Health Dental Clinic.

Health Promotion, Education and Preventive Services

Dental health educator coordinators determine the oral health needs of communities, provide health promotion and dental health education, and and deliver preventive programs.

The range of topics includes:

dental products and procedures
diabetes and dental health
fluoride
medications and oral health
nutrition and oral health
oral cancer
oral diseases
oral diseases and overall health
oral growth and development
oral health status
oral hygiene (infants, children, adults and special needs)
safety and injury prevention
sealants
tobacco

Oral Health Program Services

Fluoride Services

Promotion of community water fluoridation
School-based fluoride mouthrinse programs in rural schools
Paint-A-Smile fluoride varnish programs for infants and preschoolers at health centres
Consultations

Early Childhood and Family Services

Oral health information packages for new parents
Oral health teaching kits for preschools and daycares
Toothbrushing programs
Referrals
Consultations

School Services

Dental screenings of children in selected grades every 5 years
Annual dental screenings of children at high risk for tooth decay in selected grades and schools
Referrals for dental treatment
Oral health teaching kits for school staff
Toothbrushing programs
Seal-A-Smile - Dental Sealant Program for Grades 1, 2, 6 and 7 students in selected schools

Older Adult & Special Needs Services

Oral Health Module Workshop for staff
Presentations and displays for caregivers, older adults and special needs people
Referrals
Consultations

Post-Secondary Services

Oral Health Module workshops for U of S and SIAST students and community colleges upon request
Referrals
Consultations

Health Promotion Services

Promotion of oral health through the use media (TV, newspaper, radio), health fairs, displays, newsletters
National Oral Health Month activities during April
Consultations
Provide resources on a variety of oral health topics

LINKS

Canadian Dental Asscociation

Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry

The Nova Scotia Dental Department

American Dental Association

The Minnesota Dental Association

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority