Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): School Dentistry

School dentistry, also known as school-based oral health or school oral health, is a subspecialty of dentistry that focuses on providing oral health care and education to children and adolescents in a school setting. School dentistry programs aim to improve the oral health of children and adolescents by providing preventive and primary care services, education, and referral to specialized care when necessary.

School dentistry programs typically include the following components:

Oral health screenings: Dental professionals conduct visual and clinical examinations to identify and assess oral health problems and to provide preventive care services such as fluoride varnish applications and sealants.

Oral health education: Dental professionals provide education to students, teachers and parents about oral hygiene, nutrition, and the importance of regular dental visits.

Referral to specialized care: Dental professionals identify children and adolescents who require specialized care and refer them to a dentist or other oral health professional for further evaluation and treatment.

Follow-up and monitoring: Dental professionals monitor the progress of children and adolescents who have received care and follow up with them to ensure that they continue to receive the care they need.

School dentistry programs can be an effective way to improve the oral health of children and adolescents, particularly those who may have limited access to dental care. They can help to identify and treat oral health problems early, and they can also help to reduce disparities in oral health outcomes among different population groups.

It’s important to note that school dentistry programs should be integrated with other oral health services, such as community-based programs, to ensure that children and adolescents have access to comprehensive oral health care throughout their life.