The Oral Health Program (OHP) sits within the Primary Care Office, which is a part of the Health Care Access Bureau. The OHP works to improve access to dental care for all residents. The OHP works to understand residents’ challenges in accessing dental care and provide information and programs to improve access to care, especially preventive dental care.
As part of this work, the OHP:
- Conducts Oral Health Needs Assessments, which describe residents’ access to and use of dental health care, how medical and dental organizations work together, and highlight local opportunities for oral health professional training and education.
- We are proud to share the 2022 Oral Health Needs Assessment (published August 2023).
- Administers the School-Based Oral Health Program which brings dental providers to daycares and schools to provide care for students who are not otherwise able to visit the dentist (see below for more information).
- Senior Dental Services Program which partners with local community health centers to provide free or low-cost dental care for low-income seniors.
- Coordinates with DC agencies and partners to better understand community needs and address barriers to oral health care.
For more information about the Oral Health Program, you can contact [email protected] or (202) 442-9168.
School-Based Oral Health Program
DC Health’s School Based Oral Health Program (SBOHP) provides school-based preventive dental care to children who may not otherwise be accessing care.
The SBOHP works with a range of partners, including mobile dental providers, the Office of the State Superintendent for Education (OSSE), DC Public Schools (DCPS), and the DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF), to coordinate delivery of dental services at DC public schools, DC public charter schools, and licensed child development centers (LCDCs).
Through our partners, the SBOHP offers:
- Fluoride treatments
- Dental sealants
- Dental screenings and cleanings
- Outreach
- Education
- Care coordination*
*Care coordination services aim to link students to any necessary follow-up care through a local dental office that accepts their coverage.
Children aged one (1) year to 19 years of age are eligible for SBOHP services as long as they have not had a preventive dental visit in the last six months. For more information on the School-Based Oral Health Program, please contact DC Health’s Oral Health Program at [email protected] or (202) 442-9365.
SBOHP Resources
- DC Oral Health Assessment Form (OHAF)
- SSP Guide for Oral Health Assessment Form Reporting
- SBOHP Information for School Staff
- SBOHP Service Request Form
- SBOHP Flyer
- SBOHP Consent Form
Additional Oral Health Resources
- District Direct - To sign-up/renew your Medical Assistance coverage (including Medicaid, DC Healthcare Alliance, Immigrant Children’s Program or retroactive coverage)
- DC Healthy Families - For more information on coverage and resources through DC Medicaid/DC Healthy Families
- DC HealthCheck - For information about children’s coverage through DC Medicaid
- InsureKidsNow.gov - To find a dentist for your child who accepts your specific Medicaid coverage
- DC Health Link - For other sources of medical and dental coverage
- LinkU - To find more resources and services, including dental care