Fluoride Varnish/Oral Health
Tooth decay in children is a widespread preventable disease. Children as young as 12-18 months can get cavities. Cavities in baby teeth can cause pain and prevent children from being able to eat, speak, sleep and learn properly. Implementing the simple strategy of brushing fluoride varnish on baby teeth has the potential to prevent a significant burden of disease.
Fluoride Varnish – Ionia County Health Department is committed to providing oral health education and referral to a dental home for all Ionia County children. Registered nurses provide an oral health screening exam and apply the topical fluoride varnish. All WIC clients less than 6 years of age will be offered the screening exam and Fluoride Varnish application up to 4 times a year regardless of insurance status. Fluoride Varnish application will be offered with WIC and Immunization appointments.
Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA)
On November 2, 2023, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill No. 280 into law to establish an oral health assessment program. This bill requires dental oral assessments for children who are registering for the first time in kindergarten or the first grade in a Michigan school. These assessments may be done by the child’s dentist or hygienist, or a hygienist from the local health department.
ICHD will be rolling out a new Oral Health program to begin doing these oral health assessments starting Fall 2024. The goal is to provide these assessments in the school setting, like the hearing and vision screenings. Ideally, these will be done at Kindergarten roundups, primarily, and the children that remain will be assessed during the school year, prior to the start of 1st grade.
Please follow this page for more information as it becomes available. If you have questions, or want to know more, please call ICHD and ask about our Oral Health Assessment program at 616-527-5341.