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National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety

Resources to Make You Smile!

This monthly newsletter provides Head Start staff with materials to promote good oral health in the classroom and at home. It also includes a recipe for a healthy snack that children can make in a Head Start classroom or at home with their families.

To subscribe, visit the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center. Once on the page, enter your e-mail address and then select Oral Health. You will also be able to subscribe to other e-mail lists to receive periodic news about the Head Start program and early childhood development community.

The Impact of Stress on Oral Health | El impacto del estrés en la salud oral
Stress is a reaction to a physical, psychological, or emotional demand. Everyone has felt stress at one time or another. Some stress is good because it pushes us to do things that are challenging and meet the demands of daily life. However, too much stress can have a negative short- and long-term impact on children’s and adult’s health, including their oral health. (December 2024)

Using Silver Diamine Fluoride to Stop Tooth Decay | Uso de fluoruro diamino de plata para detener las caries dentales
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a colorless liquid that is applied to one or more teeth with a small brush. It can stop tooth decay or prevent it from getting worse. SDF works best on primary (baby) teeth and can be applied as soon as tooth decay is detected. (November 2024)

Ensuring Children Are Up to Date on Oral Health Care | Cómo asegurarse de que los niños estén al día con la atención dela salud oral
Oral exams conducted during the program year can identify problems that require timely and appropriate care. Head Start staff, as well as oral health professionals providing care, can also encourage parents to establish an accessible and ongoing source of oral health care for their child to help keep them healthy and ready to learn. (October 2024)

Promoting Oral Health and School Readiness | Promover la salud oral y la preparación para la escuela
School readiness depends on positive physical, social and emotional, language, and cognitive development. Oral health impacts each of these areas and is a key aspect of a child’s school readiness. Resources in this issue can help staff and parents understand why taking care of primary teeth is important to children’s development and school readiness. (September 2024)

Promoting Oral Health in Head Start Programs and at Home | Promover la salud oral en los programas Head Start y en el hogar
Head Start staff can promote good oral health habits among families in many ways. They can engage children and parents in discussions about oral health and encourage parents to promote and model good oral health habits at home. During the program day, staff can incorporate oral health messages and activities into learning activities. (August 2024)

Finding Oral Health Professionals Who Accept Medicaid and CHIP | Encontrar profesionales de la salud oral que acepten Medicaid y el Programa de Seguro Médico para Niños (CHIP)
Medicaid and CHIP programs are meant to help individuals with low incomes afford oral health care. Not all oral health professionals accept Medicaid and CHIP. This can make it difficult to find oral health care, even in areas with many dental offices and clinics. Head Start staff play an important role in helping families find a dental office or clinic that accepts Medicaid and CHIP. (July 2024)

Promoting Oral Health During Pregnancy | Cómo promover la salud oral durante el embarazo
Receiving oral health care and maintaining good oral hygiene during pregnancy is a safe and important part of keeping healthy during pregnancy. These things reduce the risk that babies will experience oral health problems later in life. And if expectant families keep their mouths healthy, that sets the family up for a lifetime of good oral health and overall health. (June 2024)

Using Fluoride to Prevent, Repair, or Stop Tooth Decay | Usar el flúor para prevenir, curar y detener las caries
Fluoride is the safest and best way to prevent tooth decay. It can also repair early tooth decay! And when combined with a tiny amount of silver, fluoride can stop tooth decay from getting worse. Families apply fluoride to their teeth when they use fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse. Oral health professionals can apply it to teeth during dental visits. Many communities add fluoride to their tap water since most water does not have enough natural fluoride to prevent tooth decay. In most communities in the United States, tap water is safe to drink. (May 2024)

Incorporating Oral Health into Emergency Preparedness | Incorporación de la salud oral en la preparación para emergencias
Head Start staff and families often do not consider oral health in their emergency preparedness and recovery plans. Including toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste in an emergency preparedness kit allows Head Start program staff and families to maintain good oral hygiene throughout an emergency. (April 2024)

Using Teledentistry to Provide Care for Children | Uso de la teleodontología para atender a los niños
Learn more about teledentistry for oral health care, including exams and preventive care, without going to a dental office or clinic. Teledentistry can be especially beneficial for children attending Head Start programs in frontier, rural, and underserved areas. It allows children to receive care in their community, which means missing fewer school days than they would if they had to travel for in-person dental visits. (March 2024)

Health Literacy Improves Oral Health | La alfabetización en salud mejora la salud oral
Health literacy is more than a person’s ability to read. It is the degree to which they can get, evaluate, understand, and use oral health information to make informed decisions about their oral health. Head Start staff can help improve families’ oral health literacy by sharing information that is correct, up to date, and written in simple language. When they have good information, families often incorporate healthy oral health practices into their daily lives and visit the dental office regularly. (February 2024)

Preparing for National Children’s Dental Health Month | Prepararse para el Mes Nacional de la Salud Dental Infantil
January is a great time to plan activities to celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month in February! Developing positive oral health habits and visiting the dentist regularly at an early age gets children started on a lifetime of good oral health. Head Start staff can help raise children’s and parents’ awareness about the importance of oral health and what they can do to keep their mouths healthy. (January 2024)

Promoting Oral Health for Babies | Promover la salud oral para los bebés
Taking care of babies’ oral health is important. As soon as the first tooth comes into the mouth, a baby can develop tooth decay. Preventing tooth decay and other oral health problems starts by brushing a baby’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and checking their mouths for problems. Babies should visit the dentist by age 1 to identify problems, such as tooth decay, and to get answers to questions parents may have. (December 2023)

Healthy Bedtime Routines | Salud oral y rutinas para dormir
Having a regular bedtime routine helps children know what to expect at the end of the day. In addition to establishing a calm approach for putting a child to bed, Head Start staff can help parents understand the benefits of a structured nighttime routine. (November 2023)

Promoting Oral Health in Head Start Programs and at Home | Promover la salud oral en los programas Head Start y en el hogar
Teaching children and parents about oral health throughout the program year is a valuable service that Head Start staff provides. Head Start staff can promote good oral health habits among families by using strategies that engage children and parents, integrating oral health into classroom activities for children, and motivating parents to promote and model good oral health habits at home. (October 2023)

Talking with Children About Dental Visits | Cómo hablar con los niños acerca de las visitas dentales
Visiting the dental office is a new experience for young children. What they hear about dental visits from parents and others affects what they think a dental visit will be like. If they are told about good things that will happen during the dental visit, they are likely to look forward to it. Head Start staff can help parents prepare their child to expect a dental visit to be easy and fun. (September 2023)

Emphasizing Oral Health During Home Visits | Hacer hincapié en la salud oral durante las visitas al hogar
Home visits are provided by a wide range of Head Start staff to expectant families and parents of children from birth to age 5. Common oral health issues discussed during home visits can include healthy food choices, good oral hygiene practices, and the need for regular dental visits. Sharing information about oral health with expectant families and parents stresses how important it is to have a healthy mouth to eat foods, feel self-confident, concentrate in school, and be free from infection and pain. (August 2023)

Promoting Oral Health Using Culturally Responsive Practices | Promover la salud oral mediante prácticas receptivas desde un punto de vista cultural
Families have a wealth of strengths stemming from their cultures—the languages, beliefs, values, and behaviors that shape their lives. Culture influences how families take care of themselves. Culturally responsive practices incorporate families’ languages, beliefs, values, and behaviors to make health information relevant to them. (July 2023)

Soothing Baby's Teething Pain | Cómo calmar el dolor de la dentición del bebé
Most babies begin teething around age 6 months, but teething can start any time between ages 3 and 12 months. Teething happens when a baby’s primary teeth push through the gums into the baby’s mouth. As the primary teeth come into the mouth, babies may become uncomfortable and may feel pain while teething. Teething can be a difficult time for parents too. They may experience sleepless nights trying to soothe their baby and feel helpless because they can’t help relieve their baby’s pain. Head Start staff can offer tips to help parents comfort their baby who has teething pain. (June 2023)

Treating Oral Injuries | Tratamiento de lesiones relacionadas con la salud oral
Injuries to the head, face, and mouth are common in young children. They often happen when children fall, trip, climb, or run with items in their mouths. Oral injuries may be serious because they can damage the child’s permanent teeth forming under the primary teeth. Oral injuries can also affect children’s speech, ability to chew, self-confidence, ability to learn, and overall health. Head Start staff and parents can prevent oral injuries by making Head Start centers and families’ homes safe. Staff and parents can also learn what to do if an oral injury happens. (May 2023)

Using Case Management to Improve Oral Health Care | Cómo utilizar la administración de casos para mejorar los cuidados de salud oral
Case management is a process for professionals and families to work together to identify and overcome barriers to accessing and using health and social services. Case managers can talk to families about the importance of oral health, regular dental visits, and follow-up treatment, if needed. They can also facilitate access to oral health care, including by finding oral health professionals that provide care to children and pregnant women and pregnant people. The case manager and families work together to make sure everyone can access and receive oral health services. (April 2023)

Understanding the Role of Dental Hygienist Liaisons | Comprender el papel de los higienistas dentales
Dental hygienists play an important role in promoting oral health and preventing oral disease. That’s why the National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety partners with the American Dental Hygienists’ Association to support the Dental Hygienist Liaison (DHL) Project. Under this project, one dental hygienist from each state, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands volunteers to help promote oral health for children and expectant parents enrolled in Head Start programs. (March 2023)

National Children’s Dental Health Month | Mes Nacional de la Salud Dental Infantil
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and a great time to promote good oral health practices in Head Start programs. Head Start staff can share the following messages during February and throughout the year to raise children’s and parents’ awareness about what they can do to keep their mouths healthy. Developing good oral health habits at an early age and visiting the dentist regularly help children get a great start for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. It’s always important for parents to take care of their child’s and their own oral health to prevent oral disease. (February 2023)

Toothbrushing in Head Start Programs | Cepillado de dientes en los programas Head Start
Toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste is key to maintaining good oral health and preventing tooth decay. Head Start programs must promote good oral health by ensuring that staff help all children brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste once daily. (January 2023)

Involving Parents in Their Child’s Oral Health | La participación de los padres en la salud oral de sus hijos
Parents' involvement in their child's oral health is key to the child's overall health and well-being. Parents who introduce, reinforce, and model good oral health behaviors and attitudes pass them on to their children. Parents can do this by brushing their child's teeth with fluoride toothpaste every morning and before bedtime and by giving their child healthy foods that are good for the teeth.
(December 2022)

How Smoking Affects Oral Health | De qué forma el tabaquismo afecta la salud oral
Smoking makes it more likely that a person will have tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and poor birth outcomes. It can also cause stained teeth, bad breath, and reduced ability to taste and smell. Not smoking or quitting smoking is important for overall health, including oral health. When a smoker quits, it improves their health and quality of life. It also improves the health and quality of life of those around them, especially young children.
(November 2022)

Finding Oral Health Care | Buscar atención para la salud oral
To stay healthy, it’s important for children and pregnant people to get oral health care. For some, it’s hard to find. Learn how Head Start programs can help families overcome common barriers to finding care, such as cost, not being enrolled in or eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), difficulty finding a dental office or clinic, and lack of time.
(October 2022)

Reducing Fear of Dental Visits | Reducir el miedo a las visitas dentales
It’s understandable that children sometimes get nervous about their first few dental visits. Going to the dental office or clinic is a new and unfamiliar experience for them. For young children who are not yet used to oral health care, having their teeth and mouths examined can feel intrusive. Teaching young children what to expect during their dental visit helps set up a positive experience.
(September 2022)

Ensuring Children Are Up to Date on Oral Health Care | Cómo asegurarse de que los niños estén al día con la atención de la salud oral
The Head Start Program Performance Standards require programs to obtain a determination from an oral health professional on whether a child is up to date on oral health care. Oral exams conducted during the program year can identify problems that require timely and appropriate care.
(August 2022)

Helping Children to Drink Water | Ayudar a los niños a beber agua
Drinking water every day is good for overall health. Drinking water helps prevent dehydration, improves energy level, and is important for good oral health. Learn strategies for helping children and their families choose healthy drink options to prevent or reduce tooth decay.
(July 2022)

Child Maltreatment | Maltrato infantil
Head Start staff help to prevent child maltreatment by building on family strengths, supporting families under stress, and protecting children who are at risk. Oral injuries may be a sign of child maltreatment.
(June 2022)

Anesthesia and Sedation for Oral Health | Anestesia y sedación para la salud oral
Anesthesia and sedation are important tools for dentists providing oral health care in situations where a child must remain still, have their pain controlled, or be calmed down. Families need to know what types of anesthesia are recommended for their child to make an informed decision about whether they should be used for their child.
(May 2022)

Staff Wellness: Adult Oral Health | Bienestar del personal: salud oral en los adultos
A healthy mouth is important for adults’ overall health and well-being, just as it is for children’s. When adults have healthy mouths, they can speak clearly, eat food, look healthy, and feel good about themselves. Learn about common oral health problems that some adults face.
(April 2022)

Tooth Decay and Sugar | Las caries dentales y el azúcar
Tooth decay happens when bacteria in our mouths use the sugar in foods and drinks to make acids that attack teeth. Children who regularly consume foods and drinks containing added or natural sugar are more likely to develop tooth decay than children who have them less often.
(March 2022)

National Children’s Dental Health Month | Mes Nacional de la Salud Dental Infantil
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and a great time to promote good oral health practices in Head Start programs. Learn about activities that can be done in the classroom and virtually with families to encourage healthy habits.
(February 2022)

Follow Up on Needed Oral Health Care | Seguimiento de la atención de salud oral necesaria
Primary (baby) teeth play a key role in a child’s ability to eat healthy foods, speak clearly, and hold space open in the jaw for permanent teeth that are forming beneath them. Some parents believe that, because they will fall out, it is not necessary to treat tooth decay in primary teeth. It is critically important for Head Start staff to help parents understand the importance of treating tooth decay in primary teeth.
(January 2022)

Oral Injury Prevention | Prevención de lesiones orales
Injuries to the face and mouth are common among young children, usually as a result of a fall. Learn what Head Start staff can do to prevent oral injuries from happening.
(December 2021)

Fluoride Supplements | Suplementos de flúor
Learn why fluoride supplements are recommended for children ages 6 months to 16 years whose primary source of drinking water does not contain enough fluoride.
(November 2021)

Stress and Oral Health | Estrés y salud oral
Too much stress can have a negative impact on the health of children and adults, including their oral health. Learn how to help manage stress and support social and emotional well-being.
(October 2021)

Promoting Oral Health and School Readiness | Promover la salud oral y la preparación para la escuela
School readiness depends on positive physical, social and emotional, language, and cognitive development. Oral health impacts each of these areas and is a key aspect of a child’s school readiness.
(September 2021)

Understanding How Fluoride Helps Prevent and Repair Tooth Decay | Comprendamos cómo el flúor ayuda a prevenir y curar las caries
Fluoride is an important tool for preventing tooth decay. For generations, many communities have added fluoride to their public water supply. It is also added to most toothpaste brands and can be applied in a dentist's office using varnish or gel.
(August 2021)

Promoting Oral Health During Pregnancy | Cómo promover la salud oral durante el embarazo
Maintaining good oral health helps people stay healthy during pregnancy. It also helps to prevent oral disease in their baby after birth. Head Start staff play a key role in engaging parents in conversations about the importance of good oral health during pregnancy.
(July 2021)

Choosing Healthy Drinks | Cómo escoger bebidas saludables
Parents can prevent and manage tooth decay by ensuring their children have regular dental visits and by taking good care of their child’s teeth. Head Start staff play a key role in helping parents understand the importance of regular dental visits, beginning with the age 1 dental visit.
(June 2021)

Promoting Age 1 Dental Visits | La promoción de las consultas dentales a la edad de 1 año
Parents can prevent and manage tooth decay by ensuring their child has regular dental visits and by taking good care of their child’s teeth. Head Start staff play a key role in helping parents understand the importance of regular dental visits, beginning with the age 1 dental visit.
(May 2021)

Focus on Primary (Baby) Teeth | Enfoque en los dientes de leche o primarios
Primary teeth are key to a child’s growth and development. Head Start staff play a vital role in helping parents understand the importance of primary teeth to good oral health and overall health and well-being.
(April 2021)

Focus on Preventing Tooth Decay | Enfoque en la prevención de las caries
This inaugural issue features materials for Head Start staff to use in promoting oral health for pregnant people and children enrolled in Head Start programs, including children with disabilities.
(March 2021)