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School-based Oral Health Programs

The Oregon Health Authority's (OHA) Oral Health Program manages two school-based oral health programs that provide FREE dental sealant services for eligible schools - the Certification Program for Local School Dental Sealant Programs and OHA's Statewide School Dental Sealant Program.

School Fluoride Tablet and Rinse Program

The Oregon Health Authority's (OHA) school fluoride rinse and tablet program known as the “Swish and Swash" and “King Fluoride Program" respectively began in 1974. This program has been an important preventive intervention to reduce cavity rates of Oregon children since over three-fourths of our state's population does not have access to fluoridated community water systems.

There have been challenges in recent years to obtain and distribute fluoride rinse and tablets as part of the OHA program. The fluoride rinse used, both packets and individual dose cups, has been discontinued by the sole U.S. manufacturer. Nationally, there is only one fluoride tablet manufacturer and costs have significantly increased to unmanageable levels.

Unfortunately, OHA had to discontinue the statewide School Fluoride Tablet and Rinse Program at the end of the 2019-20 school year due to difficulties in being able to obtain and distribute fluoride rinse and tablet products. The decision to end the program was not related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have encouraged schools to work with a school dental sealant program and potentially partner with them to provide fluoride varnish to students.

If you have any other questions, please contact Karen Phillips, OHA School Oral Health Programs Coordinator, at karen.phillips@dhsoha.state.or.us or (971) 412-0531.

Participation Data

2019-20 School Year

  • 43 schools participated
  • 752 students participated in the tablet program
  • 1,046 students participated in the rinse program
  • Due to the abrupt end of the 2019-20 school year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the student participation data is incomplete.

Please download a summary of data from prior school years.

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