The return to the classroom for kids across the community this month also means the return of the Metro Public Health Department's School-Based Dental Prevention Program (SBDPP). Many of us understand the importance of good oral health, but for younger Nashvillians, it might not be so obvious. This is especially true for students who might not have much familiarity with the dentist, something the School-Based Dental Prevention Program works to address.
Throughout the school-year, employees in the SBDPP travel to school buildings across MNPS and transform any available space into a mobile dental clinic. Students with signed permissions slips are then taken to the mobile clinic for screenings, education, sealants, referrals and more, all at no cost, regardless of insurance coverage. A grant from TennCare makes this program possible, bringing oral health services to Title I schools across Davidson County. By bringing oral health services directly to a student's school, the familiarity of the school building paired with the care and patience of our team can help put a child more at ease, allowing the team to offer the student the health services they need in a calm environment.
Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, the SBDPP placed over 19,500 sealants and referred over 1,800 students for necessary dental treatment. For some students, those referrals were to their family dentist, while others were referred directly to the Lentz Oral Health Clinic for care. Between the Lentz Oral Health Clinic and the SBDPP, the goal is to prevent oral health issues before they require restoration. Properly placed sealants like the ones the SBDPP team applies can prevent 80% of cavities in a child's back teeth. By preventing large problems while developing a good relationship between the child and their dentist, lifelong benefits of good oral hygiene can be enjoyed for years to come.
Those who are interested in learning more about the Oral Health Program at the Metro Public Health Department can call the clinic at 615-340-5601.