Tooth decay is one of the most preventable childhood disease in the United States. Left untreated, the pain and infection caused by dental decay can cause a variety of problems for child children:

Oral health care is a critical component of health care and must be included in the design of community programs.  Head Start and Early Head Start are examples of programs that provide medical, dental, and nutritional screening, assessment, and referral, and seek to provide every child with the learning experiences necessary to succeed in school. South Dakota is taking a proactive approach in advancing the state of oral health and oral health education in our state.  Below are programs/initiatives currently in place benefiting children in our state: 

Head Start Oral Health Survey:  The South Dakota Head Start Association, in collaboration with the SD Head Start State Collaboration Office, is gathering oral health information from Head Start Program Health Staff. This information will be compiled quarterly into a report for the Oral Health Coalition.  Head Start and Early Head Start Health Staff may click the link above to access the survey. 

Dental Home Initiative:  The Head Start Dental Home Initiative (DHI) is a national campaign to place Head Start children with dental homes. Dental homes offer children access to comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered oral health care. The Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) posts Dental Home Initiative updates to their website.  This is a great way to stay up-to-date with the status of oral health around our nation and how the DHI is helping.