*Help us improve our website. Click Here to take survey
Home
About Us Calendar News Resources Referring a Child Getting Involved Links Contact Us

   
 

What's New in Dental Health

Featured Publications


Dental Services for San Diego Children 0-5
About Fluoridation in San Diego

Right now is a great time to get active and eat healthy as a family
Jump into Action with the New Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Foods Overtime: Same Names, Different Sizes

Play Sports. Play Smart. Play Safe. Wear a Mouth Guard: The Importance of Mouth Guards
The Dark Side of Eating
Creative Financing and Fundraising
Sealant Clinics Over the Years !

Publications in .pdf format
The San Diego County Oral Health Report 2009 (2.7Mb .pdf)
San Diego Pediatricians and Dentists:
Can We Work Better Together Towards a Common Cause?
(50kb .pdf)

Explores the common ground for forging partnerships in which to address children’s medical and dental needs today. Issues of fluoridation, state laws mandating medical and dental screenings, and prevention of dental carries, obesity and risk taking behaviors such as oral piercing or drug use serve to illustrate the opportunities for medical and dental professionals to work together. Highlighted is one model initiative, The Dental Health Initiative of San Diego/Share the Care combines the expertise of medical and dental professionals to give cross threaded oral health messages to the greater San Diego community on childhood nutrition, physical activity and access to care for underserved populations. Suggestions and resources are provided on how medical and dental professionals can strengthen their relationships, promote greater communication and understanding in working together to promote children’s health and well being.
Play it Safe! Wear a Helmet
(84kb .pdf)




 

Dental Services for San Diego Children 0-5
Through generous funding from the First 5 Commission of San Diego, the Oral Health Initiative is able to provide free dental services for children 0-5 and pregnant women!

Who is Eligible?
• Uninsured children 0 through 5 (less than 6) who have not yet entered kindergarten (children on Share of Cost Medi-Cal may be covered while meeting their share of cost)
• Uninsured pregnant women through 90 days post-partum (3 months)
• Pregnant women on Denti-Cal

Please help spread the word and refer all pregnant women and uninsured children 0-5 that you encounter to a dental clinic at a participating community health center!
• Comprehensive Health Center
• Fallbrook Family Health Center
• Family Health Centers of San Diego
• Indian Health Council
• La Maestra Community Health Center
• Neighborhood Healthcare
• North County Health Services
• Operation Samahan
• San Diego American Indian Health Center
• San Ysidro Health Center
• Vista Community Clinic

For more information about how to refer clients to the OHI Treatment Fund, please call Mae Hsu, First 5 Oral Health Initiative Coordinator, at 619-542-4310 or mhsu@ccc-sd.org.


 
Back to top


 

About Fluoridation in San Diego

Some parts of San Diego County are now fluoridated to levels that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers optimal.

Medical and Dental Professionals Information
A letter from the state, signed by Dr. Mark Horton, State Public Health Officer of the California Department of Public Health, provides guidance to medical and dental professionals on oral supplementation. Click here to download the letter. Providers may direct questions to David F. Nelson, DDS, MS, Consultant to the Office of Oral Health, at (916) 552-9947 or David.Nelson@cdph.ca.gov.

For more information about San Diego County water fluoridation check the following resources:

Metropolitan Water District or 1-800-354-4420
San Diego County Water Authority
San Diego County Dental Society


General Information
Or for information on fluoride go to the following links:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Dental Association
First Smiles


 
Back to top


 

Right now is a great time to get active and eat healthy as a family




Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
If produce is appealing and easier to access, you will be more likely to eat it. Wash and cut fruits and vegetables as soon as you bring them home so that they are ready to eat when you are craving a snack.

Be active as a family. Make exercise fun by being active with loved ones. Physical activity doesn't have to be expensive, but it should be fun! Play tag with your kids in the yard, walk the dog, or go on a family hike.

Choose activities instead of TV. Limit your TV, videogame, and recreational computer use to less than 1 to 2 hours per day. Try playing a board game together or reading a book instead.

Drink more water. Water is more refreshing, calorie-free, and good for your teeth, unlike soda and juice drinks. Make water more exciting by adding fruit slices such as lemon or peaches, or use fun cups or straws. Soda and juice drinks such as Gatorade ® , Kool-Aid ® , or Snapple ® should be limited to less than one small cup per day.

Set a good example. If you want your children to eat fruits and vegetables or drink more water, then make sure to do so yourself. Set a good example for your children by eating a balanced diet and being active everyday.

Adapted from “Summer is a great time to get active and eat healthy as a family.”, Salud Health Info, July 2005.
 
Back to top


 

Jump into Action with the New Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Do you know what’s for dinner tonight? If not, consider the advice from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans! Directly from Capitol Hill, these Guidelines are science-based recommendations with the sole purpose of optimizing your health and helping you reduce your risk for chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

The three simple principles of 1) balance 2) variety and 3) moderation reign once again, however these Guidelines give you more insight on how to implement these principles by offering 9 general tips:

1. Find out your daily calorie needs and fill that quota with a variety of healthy foods
2. Manage body weight by balancing calories in with calories out
3. Challenge yourself by engaging in 30 – 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week
4. Accentuate the vegetable, fruit and low-fat dairy food groups in your daily menu
5. Reconsider the amount and the type of fats you’re consuming
6. Choose your carbohydrates wisely, opt for whole grains
7. Eat foods high in potassium and limit your salt intake
8. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation
9. Practice simple food safety rules in the kitchen


This is a simplified version of the 81-page government report. For the full report visit www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines .

 
Back to top


 

Foods Overtime: Same Names, Different Sizes
Waistlines have expanded and so have serving sizes. Take a closer look
:

Food Item 20 Years Ago Today! How much
bigger is it?
Blueberry Muffin
1.5 oz,
210 calories
5oz,
500 calories

Over 3 times larger!
French Fries
2.4 oz,
210 calories
6.9 oz,
610 calories
Almost 3 times
as large!
Soda
6.5 oz,
85 calories
20oz,
250 calories

3 times as large!
Chicken Caesar
Salad
1 ½ cups,
390 calories
3 ½ cups,
790 calories
Twice as large!
Chocolate Chip
Cookie

1.5 inch diameter,
55 calories
3.5 inch diameter,
275 calories
2 times as large
Movie Popcorn
5 cups,
270 calories
11 cups,
630 calories
More than double!
  Source for chart: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute:Portion Distortion Quiz at http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/portion
 

Obesity, heart disease, and diabetes are on the rise. Take action with healthier food choices:

  • Fruits and vegetables instead of chips
  • Side salads instead of French fries
  • Low fat milk or water instead of soda
  • Order low fat, heart friendly food items at restaurants
 

Know what a serving size is, many people do not. Consider this:

  • 1 serving of fruit or vegetable = a tennis ball
  • 1 serving of pasta, rice, cereal or 1 bagel = a hockey puck
  • 1 serving of meat, fish or chicken = a bar of soap
  • 1 serving of cheese (1 oz) = four dice
    1 serving of bread = 1 cassete tape

  Remember bigger isn’t always better! Bigger sizes = Bigger waistlines!
 
Back to top


 

Play Sports. Play Smart. Play Safe. Wear a Mouth Guard
The Importance of Mouth Guards

Did you know that dental injuries are the most common type of oral-facial injuries sustained during participation in sports? The American Dental Association recommends wearing custom mouth guards for the following sports: acrobats, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, roller hockey, rugby, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, wrestling.
Dental injuries are painful, costly and most importantly, permanent. Wearing a suitable mouth guard can prevent injuries to teeth, cheeks, lips, tongue, and jaw. mouth guards can also prevent sustaining a concussion from a blow to the head. Wearing protective headgear offers further protection against head and neck injuries.

Advice on Choosing a Mouth Guard
A mouth guard should provide maximum protection against traumatic force. Choosing a more comfortable mouth guard ensures that it will remain in place during sports – a mouth guard that does not fit properly may be knocked out. Properly fitted mouth guards also allow the individual to talk and breathe freely. There are three types of mouth guards available:

  • Ready-made mouth guards are inexpensive and available at most sports stores. They cannot be adjusted to fit an individual mouth and may be uncomfortable as they often interfere with breathing and talking.
  • “Boil and bite” mouth guards are also inexpensive and readily available, but can be molded to an individual’s mouth by placing the mouth guard in boiling water and then biting into the warm plastic. The process can be repeated until a good fit is achieved. These mouth guards also tend to interfere with speech and breathing.
  • A custom-fitted mouth guard can be obtained from a dentist. They are more expensive but they have an exceptionally good fit and therefore do not interfere with breathing or speech. Choose a mouth guard that is easy to clean and keep it clean by rinsing it under cold water after each use. Occasionally clean your mouth guard in a solution of soap and cool water. mouth guards are susceptible to wear and tear so replace your mouth guard every sports season.

What to Do if a Tooth is Knocked Out
Time is critical! See a dentist immediately. The tooth may be able to be saved and put back in the mouth. After the accident, the tooth should be located and picked up by the crown or enamel portion and NOT the root. If the tooth is dirty or contaminated, DO NOT CLEAN OR SCRUB IT - it should gently be placed in a transport solution of whole cold milk or water. Never wrap the tooth in tissue or gauze. It would be beneficial to keep a container of shelf stable milk in first aid kits at sporting events and in home medicine cabinets.

Some Mouth Guard Facts:

  • An athlete is 60 times more likely to cause damage to his or her teeth when not wearing a mouth guard.
  • The cost of a broken tooth is more expensive than a mouth guard. A mouth guard costs between $5 and $200 – a broken tooth costs more than $2,000.
  • 60% of facial injuries occur during sports practice
  • In the United States, 5 million teeth are knocked out each year—mainly front teeth.
PLAY SPORTS. PLAY SMART. PLAY SAFE. WEAR A MOUTH GUARD!
 
Back to top


 

The Dark Side of Eating

"In the United States, conservative estimates indicate that after puberty, 5 -10 million girls and women and 1 million boys and men are struggling with eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or borderline conditions" (National Eating Disorders Association).
 

Overall health consequences include: Oral health consequences include:

· Fatigue and weakness

· Sensitivity
· Fainting spells · Erosion of tooth enamel
· Dehydration · Cavities
· Ruptured stomach · Tooth loss
· Heart, kidney, and/or liver damage · Chipped teeth
· Tears in the esophagus · Dry mouth
· Osteoporosis · Chapped lips
· Malnutrition · Swollen salivary glands
· Intestinal ulcers
· Premature death

"If not identified or treated in their early stages, eating disorders can become chronic, debilitating, and even life threatening" (National Eating Disorders Association).

Learn to recognize the warning signs!

· Preoccupation with food

· Excessive facial/body hair
· Intense fear of gaining weight · Absence/irregular menstruation
· Compulsive exercise · Broken blood vessels in the eye
· Abnormal weight loss or gain · Hair loss
· Low self-esteem · Abuse of laxative, diuretics, and/or diet pills
· Refusal to eat or denial of hunger

Early intervention makes a difference!
www.eatingdisorders.sd.com or (619) 236-0300 or (888) 822-6655

 
Back to top


 

Sealant Clinics Over the Years!
Look and see what impact sealant clinics have had on the communities of San Diego!

Year Number of children screened Number of children who received sealants Number of sealants placed Approximate value of day
1996
unavailable
351
1014
$40,560
1997
unavailable
95
311
$12,440
1998
unavailable
400
1477
$59,080
1999
unavailable
512
1724
$68,960
2000
unavailable
344
1308
$52,320
2002
393
294
1192
$59,600
2003
401
299
1271
$63,550
2004
556
322
1232
$61,600
2005
894
385
1494
$74,700
2006
588
192
774
$38,700
2007
365
107
453
$22,650
2008
574
236
897
$44,850
2009
410
151
550
$27,500
2010
406
187
753
$45,7300
TOTAL
4181
3688
13697
$626,510
 
Back to top




 

Look at Us Around Town
Share the Care is spreading the word about oral health. Look for us:
On the back of a bus
In a bus
In local parks
In movie theaters




Have you seen this ad on the back of a bus? Share the Care, Project Concern International, Community Health Improvement Partners, and Grossmont Health Care developed this ad as a way to promote total health, including dental health, and access to care. When a parent calls the toll free 800 number listed, they are connected with a Human Services Specialist who can help link the family to medical and dental insurance resources within the county. So, next time you are behind a bus, look for us.

 
Back to top








 
 

 

About Us | Calendar | News | Resources | Referring a Child | Getting Involved | Links | Contact Us

Send questions, comments, and suggestions to:
contact@sharethecaredental.org
Terms and Conditions of Use

 

STC logo

Copyright 2004 © Share the Care.
All rights reserved.

  Site index