This brief for Head Start staff shares information about how teledentistry works, using teledentistry in public health settings, the benefits of using it in Head Start programs, and tips for getting started.

These Brush Up on Oral Health tip sheets provide information on current practices and practical strategies to promote good oral health for pregnant women, children, and their families – both in the classroom and at home.

Explore information and strategies Head Start staff can use to help pregnant women and parents find oral health care, prepare for dental visits, and prepare for oral health issues during a natural disaster.

Learn about the role of fluoride — including fluoride toothpaste, fluoride supplements, fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride, and community water fluoridation — in the prevention and treatment of tooth decay.

Explore information and strategies Head Start staff can use to improve parents’ understanding of oral health’s impact on learning and to promote positive oral health practices in the classroom.

Review this tip sheet to learn why dental visits at age 1 are key to a child’s healthy development. Find ways to explain to parents what happens during the dental visit.

Learn why it is important to treat tooth decay in primary teeth and offers tips for Head Start staff to encourage parents to get follow-up care for their child.

Explore why some parents may fear dental visits and avoid seeking care. Find tips on ways parents can overcome their fears.

Going to the dental office or clinic is a new and unfamiliar experience for children. Learn tips for helping young children prepare for a dental visit.

Share this information with parents to help them ask the dentist if anesthesia or sedation should be used to treat their child’s tooth decay and what type should be used to make treatment safe and effective.