SANDUSKY — The Erie County Health Department and the Erie County Community Health Center have secured two major grants from the Ohio Department of Health that will strengthen local dental services over the next three years. The combined funding, totaling approximately $421,000, is aimed at expanding preventive care for children and maintaining access to dental treatment for residents across Erie County.
Health officials said the grants reflect the state’s continued investment in community-based oral health programs. They also highlight the role of local public health agencies in closing gaps in care, especially for children and underserved populations.
One of the awards is the Dental Sealant Grant, which is new to the Erie County Health Department and the community health center. The grant is designed to expand preventive dental care for children by focusing on early detection and long-term protection against tooth decay. Under this program, dental professionals will provide screenings and apply sealants to molars, which are highly vulnerable to cavities during childhood and adolescence.
The sealant program will target students at key stages of development. Children in second and sixth grades will receive initial screenings and sealant applications. These same students will then be followed up one year later, when they are in third and seventh grades. Health officials said this approach allows providers to monitor oral health over time and ensure that sealants remain effective as children grow.
In addition to the new sealant initiative, the health department and community health center also received the Dental Safety Net Grant for the fourth consecutive year. This continued funding will allow the organizations to sustain and expand comprehensive dental services for residents of all ages.
The safety net grant is specifically intended to support care for individuals who may otherwise struggle to access dental services. This includes patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or facing financial hardship. By covering a portion of operational and service costs, the grant helps ensure that dental care remains available regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
Local health leaders emphasized that oral health is closely linked to overall health. Untreated dental problems can lead to pain, infection, and more serious medical issues. For children, poor oral health can also affect school attendance and academic performance.
To maximize the impact of the funding, the health department and community health center plan to work closely with Erie County schools. By bringing dental services directly into school settings, the programs aim to remove common barriers such as transportation challenges and scheduling conflicts. Officials said this school-based approach makes it easier for children to receive care in a familiar and accessible environment.
“These grant awards are a major win for the oral health of our children,” said Nicole Ziegler, a registered nurse and chief health services officer for both the health department and the community health center. “These projects will allow us to proactively provide essential screenings, sealants for children, as well as dental services for all ages.”
Health officials said the combined grants will strengthen the county’s dental infrastructure and support long-term improvements in community health. They added that continued collaboration between public health agencies, schools, and state partners will be critical to sustaining these efforts in the years ahead.