Oral Health Publications

During the school years 2022-23 and 2023-24, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is conducting a statewide childhood health screening effort. The Oregon Smile and Healthy Growth Screening is a unique health assessment which provides local communities and the State with a better understanding of our childhood population health status and identifies health concerns which would otherwise be missed. Programs throughout the state rely on this data for program planning. The data collected is confidential.

This year it is more important than ever that we screen children for their oral health, height and weight, as many children have missed dental and well-child visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children with cavities often experience pain, which can contribute to school absenteeism. One of the goals of this screening is to identify children who need to be treated by a dental professional and give this information to their families and schools. 

One first-, second- and third-grade classroom will be selected at each participating school. A trained Registered Dental Hygienist will screen children from these classrooms by measuring their height and weight and looking inside their mouth for any tooth decay. The screening will take less than two minutes per child and does not hurt. If any dental problems are found, the dental hygienist will tell a school staff person who can help families find a dental provider if needed. This screening does not include dental treatment or x-rays. 

Please contact the OHA Oral Health Program with any questions at oral.health@odhsoha.oregon.gov

or by phone at 971-666-8815 (voice or text)

If you have been contacted by our Oregon Smile and Healthy Growth Screening Coordinator inviting you to participate in this screening effort, here is additional information and resources for you.

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At the end of each state-wide Smile Survey/Screening (which is conducted about every five years) data is collected, analyzed, and reported by the OHA Oral Health Program. This is called the Oregon Smile Survey Report and is an important step in understanding and addressing the problem of tooth decay. 

      

   

Below are reports from surveys/screenings conducted in previous years: