The Summit County Health District's Dental Sealant Project provides dental sealants in the Akron, Barberton, and Springfield school districts. The Project utilizes the Summit County Health District's staff and portable dental equipment provided by the Ohio Department of Health.

The target population includes elementary and middle school students in 24 Akron Public Schools, 7 Barberton City Schools and 3 Springfield Local Schools. All schools have a free/reduced lunch rate of greater than 40%. Few children in these schools have access to basic dental care.

The goal of the program is to reduce pit and fissure cavities through the application of dental sealants, to provide basic dental education and to identify and refer critical dental problems, thus reducing untreated dental disease among Summit County's most needy students.

 

SERVICES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Healthy Mom = Healthy Baby
Prenatal clients should have a dental cleaning for a healthy mom and baby

The Summit County Health District also offers LIMITED dental services at the central location at 1100 Graham Road Circle in Stow, and at the south location at
2891 East Waterloo Rd., Suite D, in Springfield Township. These dental clinics
on the mobile dental van are available to children and prenatal clients by appointment by calling
(330) 926-5786.
The preschool and prenatal clinic accepts children ages 6 months through 5 years of age. The parent and child are given thorough oral hygiene instructions, nutritional counseling, and advice on dental care for the child. An exam, dental cleaning and fluoride varnish is applied. It is a great way to acclimate the child for a positive dental experience.

Medicaid insurance is currently accepted and a sliding fee is available for those without dental insurance.

For more information on oral health care for mothers and children, visit www.mchoralhealth.org/materials/perinatal.html

In the fall of 2000, the Summit County Dental Task Force, a broad coalition of interested parties, convened to consider the issue of oral health and access to dental care in Summit County. The Dental Task Force has remained committed to monitoring oral health status and efforts to address access to dental care.

A review of the 2007 status report finds expanding access to oral health services facing a population with continuing dental health issues. Despite impressive achievements, oral health in our community unfortunately remains our most significant healthcare issue. Poor oral health and untreated oral diseases and conditions have a considerable impact on quality of life, including loss of
self-esteem, decreased economic productivity, poor performnace at
school, and potentially, death.

The Task Force is pleased to present a new series of recommendations for addressing these issues. Access to care is vital for acute episodes of oral pain. Our expanded goals include prevention of oral disease, sustaining good health and an understanding on how to utilize existing health care services.

The next Dental Task Force meeting is scheduled for
November 18, 2009 at 2:00

MEETING MINUTES
November 15, 2006	April 11, 2007	June 20, 2007
August 22, 2007	October 24, 2007	January 16, 2008
March 19, 2008	May 21, 2008	July 24, 2008
November 12, 2008	May 18, 2009