DENTAL SERVICES
The HDHHS’ Bureau of Oral Health (BOH) emphasizes primary preventive dentistry, e.g., optimal oral hygiene and nutrition, sealants, and fluoride for its program participants. Additionally, it provides comprehensive dental services, with the exception of orthodontics and posterior root canals, for single persons ages six (6) months through 21 years utilizing Title V funding; for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients ages one (1) through 18 years; and for Medicaid recipients ages six (6) months through 20 years. Preventive dental services are provided for WIC enrolled mothers/legal guardians.
Photos from Project Saving Smiles - April 2013
| La Nueva Casa de Amigos Dental Clinic 1809 North Main Street 3rd Floor Houston TX 77009-8310 713-547-8076 |
Magnolia Dental Clinic 7037 Capitol Street Houston TX 77011 713-928-9578 |
Northside Dental Clinic 8504 Schuller Houston TX 77093-7603 713-742-1320 |
Sharpstown Health Services – Dental (Medicaid and CHIP only) 6201 Bonhomme Road #350-S Houston TX 77036-4365 713-780-5680 |
| Sunnyside Dental Clinic 9314 Cullen Blvd. Houston TX 77051-3319 713-732-5065 |
Call 713-547-8076, or the health center nearest you. Dental Eligibility Interview Sites include all of the clinics listed except Sharpstown Health Services - Dental. |
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General Information for Dental Services
Medicaid Card
6 months through 20 years of age
CHIP Card
1 year through 18 years of age
WIC Shopping List
- Dental appointments for WIC children can be made by presenting a current WIC Shopping List.
- Mothers/legal guardians of WIC children are eligible for one dental visit.
City Dental Card
- Single persons; 6 months - 21 years of age and who do not have Medicaid, CHIP, or WIC
- Call one of the Dental Interview Sites for information to obtain a City Dental Card.
CITY OF HOUSTON
Houston Department of Health and Human Services, 8000 North Stadium Drive #26
Houston TX 77054-1823 Telephone: 713-732-5065
Program Overview
Oral health plays a significant part in one’s overall health and well being. The 2001 Dental Needs Assessment in Harris County revealed
45.9% of 2nd graders had untreated decay.
It is known children who suffer from oral health problems cannot learn well in school. Using an evidence and community-based public health dental approach, Project Saving Smiles (PSS) provides dental screening, dental sealants, fluoride varnish, and oral health education free of charge targeting 2nd graders enrolled in the Free or Reduced Lunch Program and who have written parental consent. In a collaborative effort, the Houston Department of Health & Human Services, Good Neighbor Healthcare Center, Department of State Health Services, Women of Rotary, Texas Oral Health Coalition-Houston Region, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston – Dental Branch, Houston Community College, area schools, and other partners provide these preventive services.
Dental sealants are thin coatings applied to the chewing surface of the back teeth to prevent cavities. Sealants fill in the deep pits and grooves where food and plaque (bacteria) accumulate. Sealants, at times, may need to be reapplied to remain protective to the teeth. The sealants placed on the children’s teeth may be checked after one year to ensure they are retained. If needed, new sealants will be placed. Fluoride varnish is a protective coating painted on the teeth to help prevent new cavities and to stop cavities that have already started. No anesthesia is needed for the applications.
The PSS will invite schools with a Houston address that have 70% or more students on the Free or Reduced Lunch Program.
Goal 1: Reduce dental cavities/decay in low-income students
Objectives:
1. To screen 4,050 – 4,800 2nd graders in these schools and identify cavity free 1st permanent molars to be sealed
2. To provide dental sealants for 100% of the students screened who have neither cavities, nor fillings, nor existing sealants on their 1st permanent molars
3. To provide fluoride varnish for 4,050 – 4,800 students screened
4. To provide oral health education for 4,050 – 4,800 students screened
5. To improve oral health knowledge
Goal 2: Increase school attendance
Objective:
1. To decrease student absences due to oral health problems