The Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry will be expanding its Healthy Smiles Sealant Program to include an oral health education program for 15,000 kindergarten and first-grade students in the Cleveland Municipal School District.

A two-year, $121,000 grant from the Cleveland Foundation will enable the dental school-its sealant program already reaches all Cleveland schools' second- and sixth grade-children-to hire a health educator and purchase education materials for even younger children.

"We know how to keep teeth healthy," said James Lalumandier, Case chair of community dentistry and director of Healthy Smiles. "If we can teach children how to take care of their teeth at an earlier age, we hope to see fewer cavities and oral health problems and, in the long term, fewer missed school days because of tooth aches and the health problems associated with poor oral health."

Some of those long-term health problems include heart disease, diabetes and low-weight, premature babies.

"Expansion of preventative education to kindergarten and first-grade students will educate and empower children and their parents to take a proactive role in dental health," said Jerold Goldberg, dean of the Case School of Dentistry.

The Ohio Dental Association has recognized the Case program for enhancing dental services for children through the Medicaid/Healthy Start in Ohio programs.

Return to the online edition of the 10-2-03 Campus News.