Oral Health

OUR PROGRAM

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease found in young children. In Santa Clara County, roughly half of low-income children have a history of cavities before entering Kindergarten. Oral health disease can impact children’s growth, speech, development, school readiness, and overall quality of life. To support children’s oral health, FIRST 5 invests in programs that support prevention, early identification, and treatment of tooth decay.

Oral Health Outreach and Education

FIRST 5 partners with The Healthier Kids Foundation to provide oral health education and connect families to dental insurance and dental clinics. Oral health education classes are conducted in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The classes focus on empowering families and teach the four principles of oral health: brushing, daily flossing, balanced diet, and the importance of regular dental visits.

Early Intervention Dental Services

FIRST 5 supports comprehensive oral health services for children at Western Dental Kids Dental Clinic in Sunnyvale, San Jose, and at Gardner Health Center in Gilroy. These centers offer an innovative approach to pediatric dentistry, combining the latest technology and best dental practices with a child-friendly environment that welcomes all children and families. At Western Dental Kids, FIRST 5 supports Intravenous Sedation Services, a service that is currently not adequately covered by Denti-Cal.

Fluoridation

FIRST 5 is a strong supporter of community water fluoridation and has invested more than $1 million in the project to provide optimally fluoridated drinking water in San Jose. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) names community water fluoridation as the most cost-efficient way to promote strong oral health in children. Additionally, research conducted by the CDC also found that children living in communities with tap water with optimal fluoridation levels have fewer decayed teeth than children who live in areas without optimally fluoridated tap water.