NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month by announcing a $300,000 grant from the Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) to support SEAL! Michigan and community water fluoridation programs.
“The SEAL! Michigan program and community water fluoridation continue to improve oral health for all Michigan families,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Studies have shown that investments in oral health, like those from the Delta Dental Foundation, drive lasting improvements to improved overall health for the Michigan children and families directly served.”
“Our teeth are meant to last a lifetime,” said Holli Seabury, EdD, executive director of the DDF. “Early oral health interventions and education can help create healthy habits that will keep our kids smiling for years to come.”
Oral health is an integral part of overall health, especially for children. Healthy teeth can help children eat nutritious foods, speak and smile, boosting their confidence and self-esteem. Preventing pain from tooth decay can also help them focus on schoolwork.
During the last school year, SEAL! Michigan provided oral health screenings to nearly 11,000 children, noting that almost one-third needed early dental care, and more than 37 per cent had untreated cavities. All told, SEAL! Michigan teams placed more than 45,000 sealants.
Dental sealants are thin coatings that, when painted on the teeth, coat the dips and grooves on the top of teeth, preventing bacteria and food from getting caught and causing cavities. SEAL! Michigan offers sealants, dental screenings, fluoride applications and oral health education to elementary and middle school students—all during the school day.
Brushing for two minutes, twice a day, flossing once a day, drinking water instead of sugary beverages, and visiting the dentist regularly are great ways to prevent cavities. But dental sealants can provide added protection against tooth decay.
The community water fluoridation funding covers new and replacement equipment to community water suppliers to promote the initiation and continuation of fluoridation across Michigan. Local governments make final decisions about fluoridation. Since 2010, this grant has provided support for 73 communities to ensure more than 1.5 million people have access to fluoridated water.
Fluoride works by creating a shield on the tooth’s surface that helps prevent damage from acids created by food and drink. The result is strengthened tooth enamel, which makes cavities less severe, reduces tooth loss, and lessens pain caused by tooth decay. More than 75 years of scientific research has shown that water fluoridation is safe and can help reduce tooth decay by 25 per cent over a person’s lifetime.
For more information about SEAL! Michigan and community water fluoridation, visit Michigan.gov/OralHealth.
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