LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — In celebration of National Children's Dental Health Month, the Lake County Office of Education announced its ongoing commitment to promoting good oral health habits through the Children's Oral Health Project.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month.

This year’s theme is "Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles." This is a month-long observance that unites dental professionals, healthcare providers, oral health champions, and advocates in a collective effort to underscore the importance of good oral health and prevention for children and adults alike.

The Oral Health Project initiative is part of the Healthy Start program, which has been dedicated to the well-being of Lake County students for 18 years.

This initiative encompasses dental screenings, oral health education for students and their parents, referrals for dental treatment, as well as support in transportation and obtaining dental insurance.

During the 2022-2023 school year, the Healthy Start program reached 22 Lake County schools, conducting 2,764 dental screenings for Preschool-12th grade students. This underscores the program's dedication to proactively addressing the oral health needs of the community's youth.

“The future health and education of our families depend significantly on instilling and reinforcing positive dental habits early in life,” said Brock Falkenberg, Lake County Superintendent of Schools.

The LCOE Healthy Start program collaborates with esteemed partners, including Lakeview Health Clinic, Adventist Clearlake, Lake County Health Services, and Glowing Smiles Dental Hygiene practice, to implement the Children's Oral Health Project.

“Oral health is the gateway to overall health. A healthy smile is key to a happy and healthy life. I love what Healthy Start is doing to boost the well-being and confidence of our county's young people,” Lake County Board of Education President Melissa Kinsel said.

For more information about the Children's Oral Health Project and the LCOE Healthy Start program, visit www.lakecoe.org/HealthyStart.