{"id":2,"date":"2016-05-17T14:30:28","date_gmt":"2016-05-17T14:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/oralhealth\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2026-08-17T14:28:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T14:28:40","slug":"oral-health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\"Virginia\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Oral health is<\/em> health!\u00a0 The Oral Health Program at VDH works internally and with partners to make Virginia the healthiest state in the nation by improving equitable access to dental care and public health interventions that improve oral health outcomes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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The Oral Health Program in Virginia began in 1952 with school-based clinical programs.\u00a0 At its peak, VDH employed over 100 dentists and auxiliary staff to provide dental services and education.\u00a0 In recent years, the Agency has re-aligned the Oral Health Program's focus on prevention and education and has transitioned clinic-based restorative programs to community-based prevention programs.\u00a0 The ability of VDH dental hygienists to work under \u201cRemote Supervision,\u201d without the direct supervision or initial exam of a dentist, has led to the success of the community-based education, dental sealant, and dental fluoride varnish programs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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In addition to school-based clinical care, Oral Health Program staff perform many duties including the provision of:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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  • Educational activities and resources to a wide variety of partner groups to promote proper oral health and hygiene, and support prevention services and access to dental care<\/li>\n
  • Direct clinical preventive services in unconventional settings and assistance with establishing a dental home<\/li>\n
  • Quality assurance reviews to assure a competent public health oral health workforce<\/li>\n
  • Support for medical and dental collaborative efforts<\/li>\n
  • Surveillance and evaluation activities to monitor and track dental disease rates and trends and for program assessment of effectiveness and planning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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