The Indiana Department of Health announced partnerships to provide free oral health care and education to children across Indiana this month as part of National Children’s Dental Health Month.
The program, Hoosiers: Give Kids a Smile, is a collaborative effort between the Indiana Department of Health and the Indiana Dental Association, dental care providers, pediatricians, local health departments, Indiana schools and libraries, the Indiana University School of Dentistry, and others. Participating sites will offer a variety of services, ranging from oral health education and free dental screenings, as well as preventive and restorative services for children not covered by insurance, at events taking place in local clinics, schools and libraries.
Untreated tooth decay affects one in five Indiana children, with four in 10 having tooth decay by the time they enter kindergarten, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While good oral health is a significant part of overall health and well-being, half of Hoosiers live in an area with a dental health provider shortage. An interactive map of local events and more information about child oral health can be found by visiting https://on.in.gov/GiveKidsaSmileIN
