The Center for Oral Health (COH) is proud to announce the release of a series of new publications, supported by the CareQuest Oral Health Institute, marking a significant milestone in integrating oral health into California’s school health systems.
These resources provide a comprehensive roadmap for addressing oral health disparities in schools, promoting a whole-child health model, and supporting the sustainable integration of dental services into educational settings.
“Bridging the Gap: A Needs Assessment of School-Based Oral Health Disparities for Urban and Rural Children in California”
This report, based on extensive data, assesses persistent oral health inequities between urban and rural students. Drawing on stakeholder surveys, school district data, and regional comparisons, it reveals significant disparities and calls for targeted investments in school dental programs to support underserved communities.
“Implementation Guide: Integrating Health Centers with Oral Health Services”
This step-by-step guide provides school districts and health partners with strategies for integrating dental care into existing health services without requiring major structural changes.
Focused on equity, prevention, and operational practicality, the guide offers approaches for building sustainable provider partnerships, managing informed consent, and compliance, and aligns with the California Oral Health Plan and the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model.
“These publications demonstrate our commitment to transforming schools into equitable preventive care delivery points,” said COH CEO Tiffany Turner. “We are proud to partner with CareQuest to promote oral health as an integral component of a child’s development.”
Integrating Oral Health into School Health: An Advocacy Guide for School Leaders and Community Partners
This toolkit is designed to help school leaders, health teams, and community advocates effectively argue for the importance of integrating oral health services into school systems.
The toolkit translates key findings into practical information, discussion points, and policy strategies, showcasing successful cases from Sacramento, Alpine, and Trinity counties to foster stakeholder engagement. It helps advocates turn awareness into action, drive change, and gain support.
