Everyone Deserves a Healthy Smile!

Healthy Smiles, the Local Oral Health Program (LOHP) of Santa Cruz County, is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our community through oral health education, disease prevention, community-clinical linkages and surveillance of health data. Healthy Smiles serves as a hub for advancing oral health efforts throughout the County to decrease disparities, while increasing equitable access to oral health care and education for a thriving community with healthy smiles throughout the lifespan.

Healthy Smiles provides Oral Health education, training and resources for, but not limited to, Medi-Cal members, benefits rep trainees, those who are pregnant, children under five years old, school staff, home visiting programs, early education programs and more.

For more information, to request oral health education materials, or to schedule trainings and events send us a comment.

Healthy Smiles is supported by the California Department of Public Health, Office of Oral Health under the statewide grant initiative, Moving California Oral Health Forward 2022-2027, which includes the following objectives that are envisioned to by achieved by June 30, 2027:

  • Objective 1: establish or sustain program infrastructure, partnerships, and processes to ensure implementation and evaluation of the Work Plan.
    • Needs Assessment, Community Health Improvement Plan, Evaluation Plan
  • Objective 2: implement evidence-based programs to achieve California Oral Health Plan objectives.
    • Community Clinical Linkages, School-based/Linked Dental Programs and Fluoride
  • Objective 3: work with partners to promote oral health by developing and implementing prevention and health care policies and guidelines for programs, health care providers, and institutional settings (e.g., schools) including integration of oral health care and overall health care.
    • Kindergarten Oral Health Assessments and Key Partnerships
  • Objective 4: address common risk factors for oral diseases and chronic diseases, including tobacco and sugar consumption, and promote protective factors that will reduce disease burden.
    • Tobacco Cessation and Sugar-sweetened Beverage Reduction

How is Healthy Smiles Funded? In 2016, California passed Proposition 56, the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act. Oral Health grant funding from Prop 56 revenue is distributed to local oral health programs by the California Department of Public Health.

Oral Health Access (OHA)Santa Cruz County

Oral Health Access Santa Cruz County

Serving as the hub for oral health, the Local Oral Health Program (Healthy Smiles) connects key stakeholders in our community to strategically enhance our collective impact by supporting the coordination of the Oral Health Access (OHA) Santa Cruz County. Oral Health Access was created in 2016 by Dientes Community Dental to address the oral health needs of Santa Cruz County residents in response to the findings of the Oral Health Needs Assessment of 2016.

Today, OHA continues to lead equitable, data-driven oral health efforts countywide, with over 25 community partners.

Oral Health Access Partners

For more information about OHA, visit www.oralhealthscc.org.

More information about OHA’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan Goals and Metrics can be found on our DataShare Progress Page at:

Santa Cruz County DataShare Portal

This platform provides a comprehensive database of Santa Cruz County residents' well-being, making it an invaluable resource for local collaborative programs, initiatives, agencies and organizations that aim to increase equity and achieve specific well-being goals in the area. The page focuses on oral health population data trends, comparing them to local, state and national data, to provide an overview analysis of oral health outcomes by age, race and ethnicity, insurance type and pregnancy.

Oral Health Resources & Tips for a Healthy Smile

Oral health is an important, but often overlooked aspect of health for adults, teens, and children. There are several small but impactful actions everyone can take to support overall health and a healthy smile. Here is a list of tips, resources and educational materials for everyone to use in their daily habits.

Did you know that more sugar in your diet can lead to less healthy teeth? Click here for education and resources to help reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and sugary foods that cause cavities.

Reducing Consumption of Sugar Sweetened Beverages in Santa Cruz County: A Success Story for Better Health

Ask about fluoride varnish and sealants at your next dentist appointment to prevent cavities. Fluoride varnish is covered by Medi-Cal every 12 months for adults, and more often for children, depending on their age. Medi-Cal also covers molar sealants for children and teens up to age 21.

Fluoride benefits children and adults throughout their lives. For children younger than 8, fluoride helps strengthen the adult (permanent) teeth that are developing under the gums. For adults, drinking water with fluoride supports tooth enamel, keeping teeth strong and healthy.

The health benefits of fluoride include the following:

  • Fewer cavities
  • Less severe cavities
  • Less need for fillings and removing teeth
  • Less pain and suffering due to tooth decay

What is Fluoride? 

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is released from rocks. Fluoride is commonly added to drinking water, food, beverages such as infant formula, toothpaste and mouthwash for the purpose of helping to reduce cavities. Fluoride can also be applied directly to the teeth by dental professionals during your appointment in the form of fluoride varnish. 

* Fluoride benefits children and adults throughout their lives. For children younger than 8, fluoride helps strengthen the adult (permanent) teeth that are developing under the gums. For people of all ages, drinking water with fluoride supports tooth enamel, keeping teeth strong and healthy.

Water Fluoridation Resources

Did you know that caring for your own mouth and teeth before your baby is born is important, even to your unborn baby? Seeing a Dentist when pregnant is safe and important!

Dental problems can have an effect on your pregnancy. Untreated tooth and gum problems can be painful, but even more seriously, they can increase the risk of having a preterm, low birth weight baby. Medi-Cal covers comprehensive dental services during your pregnancy and up to 1 year postpartum if you do not have full coverage Medi-Cal.

Here are some statistics to consider:

  • 60-75% of pregnant people have gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease that occurs when the gums become red and swollen (CDC 2022)
  • Pregnant people are at an increased risk for cavities, also known as tooth decay and gum disease, which can result in tooth loss; gum disease has also been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight (CDC 2022)
  • Children of mothers who have high levels of untreated cavities or tooth loss are more than 3 times more likely to have cavities as a child (CDC 2022)
  • Medi-Cal includes dental benefits during pregnancy and up to 12 months after you give birth.

Did you know that baby teeth are important to the health of the permanent teeth? Baby teeth are also important as children are learning to speak and eat. 

Oral health is often an overlooked aspect of children and teen health. Consider the following:

  • Tooth decay is the most common chronic condition experienced by children (CDPH, 2017)
  • In California, 54% of kindergarteners and 70% of third graders have experienced tooth decay and nearly one-third of children have untreated tooth decay (CDPH, 2017)
  • California children miss 874,000 days of school each year due to dental problems (CDPH, 2017)

It’s important to schedule a child’s first dental appointment by their first tooth or their first birthday, whichever comes first. Gums and baby teeth play a big role in your child’s overall health. First Tooth, First birthday flyer

Don’t forget to schedule your child’s required dental assessment for Tk/K:
Make sure your child is school-ready with their kindergarten oral health assessment (KOHA).

Bring this form to the dentist appointment for the dentist to complete and then return the completed form to your child’s school by May 31st of their first year in Tk/K.

  • Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste
  • Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months
  • Floss your teeth once a day (before brushing your teeth)
  • Visit your dentist twice a year
  • Schedule your baby's first dental appointment by their first tooth or first birthday, whichever comes first
  • Only put water in baby's bottle at bedtime as sugary drinks like juice and milk sit on the teeth and gums causing cavities
  • Avoid sharing utencils with your baby, this can spread cavity causing bacteria from your mouth to the baby’s mouth
  • Eat plenty of healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
  • Limit sugary foods and drinks such as juice, candies and sodas
  • Wear a mouthguard when playing sports

Any questions?
Send a comment