Dental Health & Prevention Services

Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) Dental Health and Prevention Services provides a comprehensive approach to the promotion and improvement of oral health, combining a population-based dental prevention education program with the provision of dental clinical services to qualified children.

For information on HCPHES Dental clinical services and qualification for services, please access the following link: HCPHES Dental Clinical Services Information

Population-Based Education/Promotion Program

The Dental Health Promotion/Education Program reaches 16 Harris County school districts consisting of over 316 primary and elementary schools with prevention education services and supplies.  These services and supplies include:

• Smile Saver Containers of educational materials and videotapes
• School nurse consultations
• Toothbrushes
• Presentations
• Oral screenings
• HCPHES Clinic information

Smile Saver School Prevention Education Services

Assessment of Oral Health Status

In 1991 and 1998 dental health surveys were performed to evaluate the oral health status of third grade children residing in Harris County. These studies formed an oral health status baseline for this representative sample of children from which to measure progress of preventive efforts. The dental program will collaborate with other city and county agencies to perform periodic oral health assessments to continuously measure the progress toward oral health for all residents.