The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health Tuesday launched a public oral health awareness campaign in which 58,000 toothbrushes will be distributed to families in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
“Poor oral health is the number one cause of school absenteeism — and it’s entirely preventable,” said Maryjane Puffer, executive director of the nonprofit organization aimed at bridging the worlds of health and education to achieve student wellness.
Prevention is “key to oral health and that includes screenings and education,” she said, while noting that the coronavirus pandemic has transformed the organization’s oral health education activities.
“We will continue to use every means at our disposal to ensure that kids and teens enjoy the best possible oral health during this pandemic,” Puffer said.
Screenings of nearly 3,400 elementary school students in Los Angeles found that 66% of children had active dental disease, 27% had visible tooth decay and 6% required emergency care.
The L.A. Trust — which is releasing three oral health videos via social media this month — is working closely with Los Angeles Unified Student Health and Human Services, LAUSD’s Beyond the Bell division, UCLA’s More LA Smiles, the county Department of Public Health and other agencies, foundations and dental care providers.
Crest provided thousands of the toothbrushes being distributed.
“People don’t understand the disease process when it comes to cavities — it’s insidious,” said Dr. Jim Crall, project director of More LA Smiles, who noted that simple changes in student behavior can make a big difference.
Seven wellness centers and school-based health clinics — at El Sereno Middle School, Hart Street Elementary, Jefferson Wellness Center, Maclay and Sun Valley middle schools, Monroe High School and Washington Prep Wellness Center — are providing partial or full oral health services for students and community members, according to Gloria Velasquez with LAUSD’s Student Health and Human Services.