Dental Program
Life of Smiles, Oral Health Program
Public Health Solutions is proud of our “Life of Smiles” program. We provide dental health education and preventative services to children in Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Saline and Thayer counties, targeting kids aged birth to third grade . We strive to educate parents and children on healthy oral care habits, including what causes cavities and how diet can affect mouth health, and also proper brushing and flossing methods.
Our program provides oral screening services to children who may be at risk for dental disease, as well as fluoride varnishes and sealants. Each child screened also receives a dental care bag, which is filled with a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and educational materials. Our goal is for every child to have the right information and tools to make good oral health choices.
The Life of Smiles program continues to partner successfully with stakeholders in the community such as, Blue Valley Community Action, Family Health Services, and district schools. Additionally, PHS has a Registered Dental Hygienists, on staff, who works with our program.
The public’s response to our program has been very positive. By the end of Year 1 of our program, over 5,200 services had been provided to people in our district by visiting district schools, Head Starts, and WIC clinics. The program was able to reach 70% of all the schools in the district!
Through the program, Public Health Solutions is now able to perform preventive oral health services at our Crete office. Residents of our five-county district can now make appointments and receive a dental screening, fluoride varnish, sealants, and dental cleanings at our office for a low cost.
To learn more about how to get your child screened and when the Life of Smiles program will be in your community contact Carmen Chinchilla or call 402-826-6690.
Dental Day
Annually, the first Friday in February UNMC holds a Dental Day for our youth across Nebraska. Public Health Solutions has partnered with UNMC to make sure youth, that need dental check-ups, can get services the need for their health and wellbeing.
UNMC’s yearly Dental Day provides an opportunity for uninsured and underinsured children to get free dental work.
PHS is committed to helping children access this free service, Dental Day, by providing transportation for children from the Saline County area. At the event, the children are cared for by Dental Day volunteers. Not only are they seen for dental health issues, but they also participated in games, face painting, met various tooth fairies and tooth decay-fighting super heroes, and kids get to meet the Husker Cheerleaders.
Parents are happy that their children are receiving care. Also, they are impressed by how organized the event runs. PHS takes part in Dental Day to ensure children receive care they may not receive otherwise.
Dental Day targets those that are uninsured or underinsured. However, those children with Medicaid are also able to attend if they have difficulty finding a dentist who works locally. For PHS, with our rural counties this is an essential program opportunity.
Everyone attending is able to get educational information on how to best take care of their teeth. The parents are glad that their children are getting dental services. Make your plans for Dental Day 2016, Friday, February 5th.
To participate, parents must complete following the registration form:
Click here for a copy of the English Dental Day 2016 Application
Haga clic aquí para obtener una copia en español de la Aplicación para el Día Dental Infantil
Please contact Public Health Solutions at 402-826-3880 for more information.