Oral Health for School-Age Children
Is your child ready to start school? If your child is entering Kindergarten or 1st grade, they must have an oral health assessment completed by May 31.
Baby teeth are very important! Yes, baby teeth will someday fall out, however, they help your child say words and eat healthy food to grow and be strong. Pretty soon your child’s adult teeth will start to come in. You can stop cavities from forming in your child’s mouth. Fluoride varnish, dental sealants and brushing can help stop cavities.
Fluoride varnish is a safe and easy way to treat cavities in children. It is very good in lowering risk of cavities and can be applied once every 6 months. It is recommended that dentists or primary care providers apply fluoride varnish to children’s primary teeth through age 5.
Dental sealants are a safe and easy way to protect your child’s teeth from cavities. Sealants are a great way to lower the risk of getting cavities and can be applied by your dentist or primary care provider.
Be sure to use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush to take care of your teeth. A pea-size amount of toothpaste is all you need to keep your teeth clean and cavity-free.
The next time you visit your dentist, ask about fluoride varnish or dental sealants for your child’s teeth. Sealants and fluoride varnish are covered services under Medi-Cal.
Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment
Is your child entering Kindergarten in the fall? Just like most required immunizations, your child will need to have a dental assessment completed in order to start school. These assessments are painless and can help determine if your child needs immediate dental care. These assessments can be done by your dental provider or in school by a dental professional. For more information on Kindergarten Oral Health Assessments, visit our Resources for Schools page.
Do you work with children?
Do you regularly work with school-age children ages 5-12? Would you like to teach your students about the importance of oral health? Below are oral health curriculums available to download for FREE from Smile, California. For additional oral health educational materials, visit our Resources for Schools page.
Seal today to prevent decay!
Watch this video to learn about the importance of molar sealants.
Medi-Cal Dental Benefits
Below are free or low-cost services covered by Medi-Cal for children ( ages 5-12):
- Dental exams (every 6 months)
- X-rays
- Teeth cleaning (every 6 months)
- Fluoride varnish (every 6 months)
- Molar sealants
- Fillings
- Root canals
- Tooth removal
- Emergency services
- Outpatient services
- Sedation (if medically necessary)
Additional Resources
Funded by the California Department of Public Health under contract #22-10191