• State oral health program opens wide to help more children
• History of Georgia Public Health Dental Programs

Services Provided
In fiscal year 2007, a total of 191,475 children received dental prevention, education, and treatment services provided by Georgia's Dental Public Health Programs. More information about these services can be obtained from the Health District Dental Contacts 

Prevention

• Fluoridated water
  • As of December 2007, 95.8% of Georgia's population using public water systems received fluoridated water.
• School-linked Fluoride Supplement Programs for high-risk children
  • Fluoride mouth rinse or topical fluoride treatments for children who lack an adequate source of fluorides. Approximately 9,175 school age children participated in fluoride mouthrinse programs in fiscal year 2007.
• Dental Sealants
  • Plastic coating is placed on the chewing surfaces of permanent molar teeth to seal out food and bacteria that cause tooth decay. Approximately 8,103 children received sealants in fiscal year 2007.

Education

• Dental Health Education
  • Public Health dental hygienists teach school children the importance of proper brushing, flossing, and good nutrition for good dental health. More than 64,928 school children were reached in fiscal year 2007.

Screening and Referral

• Dental screenings
  • Dental inspections of the mouth to see if there are any dental or oral problems. The most common dental problems that children have are dental decay, gum disease, and malocclusion. Most of these problems are preventable. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can eliminate pain, infection, and progressive oral diseases.
• Dental referrals
  • If a child is found to have oral health problems, referral note detailing available resources is sent to the parent/guardian regarding the child's condition. More than 60,155 school children were screened and referred for treatment in fiscal year 2007 through public health dental programs. The 2005 Georgia Third Grade Oral Health Survey documents results of a statewide screening assessment.

Treatment

• Provide diagnostic, preventive and basic dental treatment sessions for eligible children. More than 47,169 dental treatment visits were provided to children in fiscal year 2007.
  • First priority is for children who need emergency dental services because of pain, infection, or the tooth/teeth will soon need emergency care, and who are eligible for the Free and Reduced Meal Program (185% Federal Poverty Level).
  • Basic dental treatment services include:
    • Exams
    • Cleanings
    • Dental sealants
    • Silver (amalgam) and tooth colored (composite) fillings
    • Stainless steel crowns
    • Minor nerve treatments
    • Extractions
  • Payment for dental treatment services are based on a sliding fee scale based upon ability to pay. Many health departments have a minimal administrative fee.
  • Public health dental services are also provided to children who are enrolled in Medicaid/PeachCare reimbursement programs. The most current available service data is presented in the
    Analysis of Access to Dental Care CY2004/SFY2005, September 2006 Report and the Analysis of Access to Dental Care Service Trends and Patterns CY2000/SFY2001 through CY2005/SFY2006, December 2006 Report.
  • An issue brief, Children's Oral Health in Georgia: Progress and Opportunities prepared by the Georgia Health Policy Center for public health, discusses the findings of the Analysis of Access to Dental Care publications and other available information documenting the oral health status of Georgia's children.
  • Status of Oral Health in Georgia, 2007
    A summary report of oral health in Georgia.
  • Clinic locations and hours depend on local and state resources available. Information about specific dental services, hours, and location of services can be obtained by calling the local health department or the Health District Dental Contact.