Oral health is a key to overall health. Research has shown poor oral health is linked to diabetes, heart and lung disease, stroke, conditions of pregnant women, including the delivery of pre-term and low birth weight infants, and other illnesses.
Establishing good dental hygiene practices helps fight against the effects of tooth decay. Tooth decay is damage that occurs to the tooth surface when acid breaks down the food and sugars in the mouth. The acid eats away at the tooth, forming a hole, also known as a cavity.
Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that can lead to other problems. Brushing and flossing is essential to remove bacteria and decrease the risk of cavities.
Oral Health Data
The Public Health Dental Program collects and analyzes statewide and county data on the oral health status and access to dental services of Florida’s residents.
Tips to maintain healthy teeth and gums:
- Brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes with a soft bristle toothbrush
- Floss daily
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit sugar-sweetened beverages and sugary, salty foods and snacks
- Avoid sticky and acidic foods
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Schedule and keep regular dental visits
- Change toothbrush every 3 months or after getting sick
Oral Health Resources
Florida Resources
Agency for Health Care Administration provides information on the Florida Medicaid Dental Program.
Florida Dental Association represents Florida’s dentists and has more than 8,100 members.
Florida Association of Community Health Centers contains resources on dental services provided by Florida’s Qualified Health Centers.
Florida Dental Hygiene Association represents more than 12,000 Florida’s dental hygienists and provides continuing education to members and supports programs that inform other health care providers of the services offered by dental hygienists.
Federal Resources
Healthy People 2030 consists of goals and objectives to decrease oral diseases, increase access to preventative services and dental care, and improve dental public health infrastructure.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research is the federal agency for research on dental, oral, and craniofacial health and disease.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services contains information on dental care coverage through Medicaid, Medicaid services utilization data, and oral health initiatives to improve the access of dental services.
U.S. National Library of Medicine contains general information on dental care and oral health diseases.
Dental Schools
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Dentistry
- Nova Southeastern University College Dental Medicine
- University of Florida College of Dentistry
Dental Organizations
American Association of Public Health Dentistry is a non-profit professional organization that provides a focus for meeting the challenges to improve the oral health of the public.
American Dental Association is the world’s largest and oldest national dental association with over 160,000 members, and promotes good oral health habits to the public while representing the dental profession.
Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors is a national non-profit organization representing the directors and staff of state public health agency programs for oral health.
Hispanic Dental Association provides service, education, advocacy, and leadership of overall health of Hispanic and other under-served communities.
National Dental Association promotes oral health among people of color, advocates for the needs of mentoring dental students of color, and raising the profile of our communities.
National Maternal and Child Health Oral Health Resource Center is a national center that contains oral health technical assistance, training, and resources for professionals who work with the maternal and child health population with the goal of improving oral health services to pregnant women, infants, children, and adolescents, including those with special health care needs.
National Network for Oral Health Access provides resources and learning opportunities, collaboration, research and support in running effective oral health safety-net programs in order to improve the oral health of underserved populations.
Rural Oral Health Information Hub provides information and resources on oral health in rural communities.
About the Public Health Dental Program
The Public Health Dental Program leads the Florida Department of Health’s efforts to improve and maintain oral health of in Florida. The program has four primary functions:
Provide Direction on Oral Health Policy
- Research and recommend policy change that can improve access to oral health care services in the state
- Facilitate collaborative efforts of statewide oral health stakeholders in relation to oral health policy
Promote Cost-Effective Health Educational and Preventive Activities
- Support school-based fluoride varnish and sealant programs
- Encourage early childhood caries preventive programs using non-dental staff
- Strive to integrate oral health into general health programs such as WIC, and into other programs related to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity
- Provide consultative and technical assistance to maternal and child health programs, school health programs, WIC programs, schools, state and federal government entities, community and professional organizations, and private citizens
Collect and Analyzes Oral Health Data
- Monitor state and county oral health status, dental treatment needs, and utilization of dental services
- Facilitate the continued development of an integrated, coordinated oral health system between the public and private sectors
- Evaluate and promote the development of efficient and effective programs
Support the Provision of Direct Dental Care Services
- Promote collaboration among statewide dental and other health care providers
- Provide consultative and technical assistance to state and professional organizations
- Provide technical assistance, evaluation, administrative support, and quality assurance guidance to CHD dental programs which include on-site facilities, mobile units, contractual arrangements, and teledentistry
- Administer CHD categorical dental funding and administers dental contracts with a variety of public and private organizations