Community Oral Health Program
The Community Oral Health Program (COHP) works in collaboration with schools and community partners to increase access to oral health services by linking children, youth and families to no or low-cost dental resources. This program includes both the Children's Oral Health Program and the Local Community Health Improvement Plan. The Children's Oral Health Program began its efforts to improve the health of Contra Costa County children and youth in 1977. More recently, COHP has expanded its role to include understanding, assessing and working collaboratively with community partners to impact Contra Costa County's oral health system – developing a comprehensive community health improvement plan.
For more details on each component, please click on the tabs below.
- Children's Oral Health
- Local Oral Health
- NEW! KOHA Resources
- NEW! COVID-19 Dental Resources
- Dental Enrollment & Provider Resources
- Prevention with Fluoride
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Children's Oral Health Program
The Children's Oral Health Program works with local schools to provide preventive oral health services:
- Education: Children learn the proper way to brush their teeth, how to prevent cavities, and how good nutrition helps keep their teeth healthy. All children receive free toothbrushes.
- Screenings: Licensed dental professionals perform visual screenings to check the health of children's mouths.
- Sealants: Children in grades 2-6 are screened to determine if they need dental sealants on their permanent molars. Sealants are a thin, plastic coating. They help reduce the risk of developing cavities, in the chewing surface of molars.
- Varnish: All students who return a consent form will get a fluoride varnish application.
- Kindergarten: The Program offers assistance to schools to help fulfill State law, AB1433, which requires that children entering public schools for the first time, in kindergarten, must have a dental check-up.
Sealants
Community Collaboratives & Events
- We provide preventive oral health services to youth at juvenile detention facilities and at the Calli House Youth Shelter.
- Our Program participates in a variety of community outreach events in collaboration with our partners such as First 5 Resource Centers, Head Start, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Collaborative, Loma Vista Dental Assisting Program, Diablo Valley College Dental Hygiene Program and the Contra Costa Dental Society.
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Local Oral Health Program
Contra Costa is developing a community health improvement plan, as well as an oral health systems map of the county that identifies oral health resources and gaps. CCHS leaders and community stakeholders have identified seven oral health priorities for Contra Costa.
Links
- California Oral Health Plan
- Community Health Indicators
- Community Partners list
- John Muir Needs Assessment
- Family Maternal & Child Health Website
- Contra Costa Oral Health Needs Assessment
- Systems Map
- Timeline
- Vision, Mission and Guidelines
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KOHA Resources
Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment
The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) helps to ensure children are healthy and ready for school. Like screenings for vision and hearing, California has a law that strongly encourages children receive an oral health screening as part of school entry by their first year of school in either kindergarten or first grade. There are two ways to complete the screening, either at a dental office or through a school program.
Once the KOHA form is completed, schools enter the information into the SCHOR data system. This helps State and local counties understand the number of children suffering from untreated dental decay and provide necessary resources to communities. By completing this screening, parents also help ensure their child gets connected to early preventive dental care. This can lead to fewer school absences as a result of tooth infection or pain.
Improving our children's oral health requires a successful partnership between parents, schools, healthcare providers and community organizations.
For more information on how you can participate, please scroll below.
Contra Costa County
Why The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Matters? | Spanish
- Executive Summary
- Contra Costa Kindergarten Enrollments vs. Assessments in Contra Costa County
- Dental Disease in Contra Costa County
- Children Now Insider: Why Children's Oral Health Matters↗
- Contra Costa County Office of Education↗
- School Districts in Contra Costa County
Resources for Schools and Parents
- California School-Based Health Alliance↗
- School Based Oral Health Alliance
- California Department of Education↗
- Oral Health Notification Letter↗
- Oral Health Notification Letter (Multiple Languages)↗
- Required Oral Health Assessment/Waiver Request Form (English)↗
- Required Oral Health Assessment/Waiver Request Form (Multiple Languages)↗
- Database for School Reporting Systems (SCHOR)↗
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COVID-19 Dental Resources
Resources for Community Members and Partners
- Sealant Coloring Sheets
- Healthy Smile Pledge Certificate
- Why Do Baby Teeth Matter?↗
- How to Care For Your Teeth At Every Age↗
- Explore Prevention Tips for Kids↗
- Healthy Eating Tips↗
- Educational Resources↗
- Educational Lesson Plans↗
- Activity Sheets for Kids↗
- Download a 12-Month Brushing Calendar - American Dental Association (mouthhealthy.org)↗
Additional Dental Resources
- What You Should Know About Returning to the Dentist during COVID-19↗
- DHCS Free Medi-Nurse Advise Call Line↗
- Dental Clinics and Enrollment Information
- Find a Medi-Cal Dentist↗
- Covered Medi-Cal Dental Services↗
- Dental Appointments and Coronavirus↗
- Common Dental Emergencies Questions↗
Resources for Dental Healthcare Providers
- CDPH Interim Protocol for Preventive Dental Care in Public Health Settings: Reducing Aerosols and Educating Patients↗
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidance on Resuming Preventive Dental Care↗
- California Dental Association (CDA) Updates and Practice Resources↗
- American Dental Association (ADA) Return to Work Toolkit↗
- Center for Disease Control (CDC) Guidance for Dental Settings↗
- American Dental Hygienists' (ADHA) Resources↗
- Fit Testing Trainers↗
- Additional N95 Training↗
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Medi-Cal has Dental Covered
Watch in YouTube
Local Dental Resources
- Dental Clinics in Contra Costa County
- Community Partners list
- John Muir Mobile Dental Clinic ↗
- Find a Medi-Cal Dental Provider in Contra Costa County ↗
- Smile California Covered Services ↗
- Visiting the Dentist ↗
- Medical has Dental Covered Flyer | Spanish
- CavityFree SF For Medical & Dental Providers ↗
Smile California Partners and Providers
- Materials for Medi-Cal Members ↗
- Smile California Social Media Gallery ↗
- Smile California Partner Toolkit ↗
- Smile CA Brochure | Spanish
- Smile CA Pregnancy Brochure | Spanish
- Smile CA Dental Care for Seniors | Spanish
- Medi-Cal Covers Dental for Former Foster Youth | Spanish
- Medi-Cal Covers Your Client's Dental Needs | Spanish
State Dental Resources
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Parent and Caregiver Resources
- Common Questions
- A Mom's Guide to Fluoride ↗
- Is Fluoride Safe
- Fluorosis Facts for Families
- Fun Activities and Coloring Sheets for Kids ↗
- Is My Water Supply Fluoridated? ↗
Local Quality Reports
Community Partners Resources on Water Fluoridation
- Common Questions about Community Water Fluoridation ↗
- Drinking Water FAQ ↗
- MouthHealthy.Org: Fluoride Info and Video Link ↗
- Sugar Sweetened Beverages, Water promotion UCSF Link ↗
Health Care Professionals Resources
- Working Together for Oral Health Prevention ↗
- Fluoride Safety: A Guide for Health Professionals
- Speaking Points on Fluoridation
- Fluoride Varnish and Silver Diamine Fluoride: A Resource Guide
- California Oral Health Technical Assistance Center - Fluoride Prevention Programs ↗
Media Visuals on Benefits of Fluoridation
- YouTube: Importance of Community Water Fluoridation
- ADA: Action for Dental Health
- How Community Water Fluoridation Prevents Tooth Decay | Spanish
- How Fluoride Works
- Newsletter Brush Up On Oral Health
- One Glass At A Time Poster | Spanish
- Oral Health Equity Poster | Spanish
- Why Do Children Need Fluoride? | Spanish
- You're Teaching Them | Spanish
Contact
Community Oral Health Program
597 Center Avenue, Suite 365
Martinez, CA 94553
Maria Ortiz-Padilla, Program Manager
925-313-6280
