About Us
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) is the federal agency responsible for providing national
leadership to prevent and control oral diseases and conditions. CDC
works to enhance oral disease prevention in state and community
settings by strengthening public health infrastructure to support
oral disease prevention efforts, and fostering applied research. The
activities of CDC’s Division of Oral Health focus on
Infection
Control Overview
Although the principles of infection control remain
relatively constant, new technologies, materials, equipment, and data require
continuous evaluation of current infection-control practices. The unique nature
of many dental procedures, instrumentation, and patient-care settings also may
require specific strategies directed to preventing the transmission of pathogens
among dental health care workers and their patients. Recommended infection
control practices are applicable to all dental treatment settings.
Community Water
Fluoridation Overview
Community water fluoridation is safe and effective in
preventing tooth decay, and has been identified by CDC as one of 10 great public
health achievements of the 20th century. CDC’s water fluoridation program
provides support to state public health programs, promotes appropriate fluoride
use, maintains a national fluoridation reporting system, and provides
fluoridation training and technical guidance.
Data Systems Overview
Oral health data systems monitor the prevalence of oral
diseases and the factors influencing oral health, such as, risky or protective
behaviors, the availability of preventive interventions, and use of preventive
services. The systems bring together existing data from multiple national and
state sources and present the data in useful and accessible formats for the
broad community interested in promoting oral health.
Page last reviewed:
October 23, 2007
Page last modified:
October 23, 2007
Content source:
Division of Oral Health,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion |
