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Contact Information

(509) 962-7515
healthpromotion
@co.kittitas.wa.us 

   

Oral Health Program

This program promotes good oral health practices for all Kittitas County residents. It also works with the Kittitas County Healh Coalition to support education about oral health issues and strengthen access to oral health care.

Issues

Good oral health is important for people's general well being and quality of life. It influences how people look, speak, and socialize. Poor oral health can have negative effects on children and adults at home, in school or at work. Fortunately, most oral diseases can be prevented with simple measures.

Programs & Services

Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) Program

ABCD focuses on early family oral health education and delivery of preventive oral health services by connecting Medicaid-eligible children from birth to age six with a local ABCD-trained dental provider. Currently in Kittitas County there are more than 1,400 Medicaid-eligible children under age six but less than one-third (32.5%) of those children received dental care, lagging significantly behind the state average of 42.8% (FY 2009 Department of Social and Health Services data).

Dental Service Referrals

  • Directory of local dentists, including those who accept Medicaid
  • Facilitate dental equipment loan program for dentists or hygienists working with low income or senior populations
  • Pregnant women and infants enrolled in Kittitas County's First Steps program are eligible to receive free dental care. For more information on First Steps oral health care, please contact the First Steps Public Health Nurse at (509) 962-1414 ext. 719.

Dental Sealant Program

Health department staff coordinates with Dream Team Dental, a hygienist based mobile dental program, to provide sealants to children in local elementary schools.

Fluoride Varnish Program

Once a year, the Oral Health Program partners with the Immunization Program at Kittitas County Public Health Department to ensure that children of uninsured families receive immunizations for school and a dental screening with fluoride varnish protection against cavities.

Oral Health Education

Educational material is available regarding when children should be seen for the first dental visit. "First Visit by First Birthday" PDF file format114 KB (Spanish version PDF file format114 KB) is a flyer designed to educate families about getting children into the dentist by the child's first birthday .

Facts & Figures

  • 66% of adults in Kittitas County reported visiting a dentist in the past 12 months in 2006 (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey).
  • 80% of Kittitas County 10th graders reported a dentist visit in the previous 12 months in 2008 (Healthy Youth Survey).
  • 61% of 2nd and 3rd graders in Kittitas County had evidence of a treated or untreated cavity in 2005 (local data).
  • Oral Health Survey, 2004-2005

Get Involved

Kittitas County Oral Health Coalition

The mission of the Kittitas County Oral Health Coalition is to support education about oral health issues and strengthen access to oral health care for all residents of Kittitas County.

The Kittitas County Oral Health Coalition is an action council comprised of health care professionals and community leaders. The coalition meets on a quarterly basis to discuss issues surrounding access to dental care in Kittitas Valley.

As far back as 1992, individuals from various agencies came together to discuss strategies to address the issues of access to dental care for the underserved population of Kittitas County.

Under the guidance of the Coalition, the Kittitas County Public Health Department's Oral Health Program has established a successful school sealant program, participated in the Hope Source Back to School Back Pack program, developed several educational programs, and implemented a comprehensive dental care program for residents in Assisted Living Centers.

Meetings are held at the Kittitas County Public Health Department the third Tuesday of the month, from 3:30pm to 5pm January, April, July, and October.

The Oral Health Coalition welcomes new members. If you are interested in joining or have questions about the Coalition please call (509) 962-7515.

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