Early access to a dental home and preventive services is crucial for establishing lifelong oral health habits, preventing tooth decay, and addressing dental issues before they become more serious. Expanding these services to include adults ensures continuity of care, providing preventive screenings, culturally appropriate resources, and education tailored to adult needs. This approach helps communities maintain healthy smiles and improves overall well-being for children and adults.
Clark County Public Health promotes the Access to Baby & Child Dentistry (ABCD) program connecting children from birth up to age 6 with Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) insurance to dentists for preventive dental care. The ABCD program has expanded to include eligible children ages 6-13 with a Developmental Disabilities Administration indicator (DDA).
The first dental appointment is highly encouraged by age 1.
Here are some reasons early visits to the dentist are important for children
Benefits
- Ensure baby teeth are healthy
- Make dental visits a regular part of your child's life
- Prevent dental pain and disease
- Provide a positive dental experience
- Education for parents
ABCD clients receive annually
- Two dental exams
- Three fluoride applications
- Restorative care as needed
- Two education sessions for parents on maintaining their child's dental health
Interpreting services
After scheduling a dental appointment for your child, you can request a medical interpreter if needed to communicate with the dentist. This service is included under Apple Health coverage.
Multiple languages
Una vez que usted ha programado una cita dental para su niño(a) usted puede solicitar un Intérprete médico si lo necesita para comunicarse con el dentista. Este servicio lo cubre Apple Health.
Mighty Mouth
The Mighty Mouth provides new mothers with tips on protecting their child's teeth through their own oral health during pregnancy and early years. It also features videos on children's oral health and offers additional resources to teach young kids about dental care.
Healthy snacks
Choose snacks that are nutritious, tasty, and colorful. Avoid replacing meals with snacks. Be cautious of choking hazards, allergies, and foods that may stick to teeth and cause decay.
Tooth Snack Guide
The Tooth Snack Guide provides snack suggestions that minimize cavity risk as well as foods to avoid that easily cause cavities. Available in English, Spanish, Ukrainian and Russian.
Oral health tips for parents
With proper oral health care, parents can ensure their children have a healthy smile and lower risk of dental disease as they get older. Parents can prevent tooth decay by:
- Teaching their children how to brush their teeth
- Helping their child with brushing until they are 6 to 8 years old
- Brushing for two minutes, two times each day
Dental sealants are another tool for preventing tooth decay. Dental sealants are thin plastic-like materials painted on chewing surfaces of molars and premolars to "seal out" germs and food that cause decay and destroy teeth. Sealants are effective, safe, easy to apply, long-lasting and cost effective.
DentistLink connects you with dental care for insured, uninsured, or Apple Health (Medicaid) patients at no cost. Their friendly referral specialists help find the right dental provider, book appointments and offer additional resources if needed.
Call 844.888.5465 or look at DentistLink's on-line directory
Community in Motion provides non-emergency medical transportation to medical services for individuals covered by Washington state Medicaid (Apple Health).
For more information and details, view a flyer in English or Spanish.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a safe, natural mineral that helps prevent tooth decay. For children under 8, it strengthens the developing of permanent teeth. Parents should consult their child's dentist for fluoride recommendations.
Fluoridated water area maps in Clark County 2020
Oral health for people with special needs
The Washington state Department of Health has information about oral health for people with special needs that includes a directory of dentists, fact sheets and resources.
For more information, email Anna Cruz, ABCD program coordinator. Ingles- Español.