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Give children a reason to smile...
Childhood tooth decay (cavities) is one of the most common preventable diseases. Children as young as 12-18 months can get cavities. In baby teeth this can cause pain and even prevent children from being able to eat, speak, sleep and learn properly. Children do not lose all their baby teeth until they are about 12 to 13 years old. The good news is cavities can be prevented with early dental visits, fluoride, regular brushing, flossing, and healthy diets.
First Smiles Matter is brought to you by First Things First (www.azftf.gov). First Things First (FTF), approved by
Arizona voters, works to ensure that our youngest children have access to quality early childhood experiences
so they will start school healthy and ready to succeed. Across the state, FTF regional partnership councils – in
collaboration with local leaders – identify the educational and health needs of children from birth through age
5 in their communities and fund strategies to address those needs.
The South Pima Regional Partnership Council has awarded funding for "First Smiles Matter", a prevention and early intervention program to address the oral health issues of young children and pregnant women. Other community partners providing services include El Rio Community Health Center’s Dental Program, Desert Senita Community Health Center’s Dental Clinic (Ajo), Mobile Health Program, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona and the Southern Arizona Oral Health Coalition.
Oral Health in Early Childhood - Prevention and Early Intervention Program
 United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, along with the Pima County Health Department's Oral Health Program, created the Oral Health in Early Childhood Program to help reduce childhood cavity problems. This childcare and pre-school program includes: 1) establishing daily tooth brushing programs 2) providing dental screenings and referrals 3) applying fluoride varnish on the children's teeth to strengthen them and 4) training staff and parents on the importance of early childhood oral health.
Ask your childcare center director to see if they participate in the Oral Health in Early Childhood Program.
Information about fluoride varnish for parents - Download
Arizona Dental Sealant Program
Pima County Health Department's Oral Health Program provides dental sealants in selected schools. The program is free of charge through funding from the Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Oral Health.
Dental sealants are clear or tooth-colored plastic coatings that cover and fill the grooves of the back teeth where food and germs can cause tooth decay.
Ask your school nurse to see if the Arizona Dental Sealant Program is offered at your child's school. Schools in Pima County can apply to the program by contacting the Bureau of Oral Health at (602) 542-1866.
Information about dental sealants - Download
Supplemental Materials & Downloads
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Oral Health Program
Water & Fluoride:
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American Dental Association
Water & Fluoride:
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Oral Health Resources:
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| Source: PimaHealth.org |
Source: http://www.ADA.org |
Source: http://www.cdc.gov |
Pima County Health Department Oral Health Program
3950 S. Country Club, Ste. #100
Tucson, AZ 85714
Phone: (520) 243-7902
Fax: (520) 243-7866
Community Services in Pima County:
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Related Links:
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PIMA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT | 3950 S. Country Club Road, Ste. 100 Tucson, Arizona 85714
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Links to non-federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by the Pima County Health Department. Pima County Health Department is not responsible for the content of the individual organization.