School based oral health

February Is National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month.

The ADA News (2/4) reports that February is National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month, “an effort to highlight and recognize the role school-based health care providers play in ensuring students have access to high-quality health care, including oral health.” The School-Based Health Alliance, which organizes the awareness month, said, “With the new administration and Congress ever looking for ways to reduce health care spending, the school-based health field needs to explain why the model is indispensable – now more than ever.” The article states, “By observing National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month, health care providers, including dentists, can help educate national, state and local policymakers about the importance of school-based health and the support it has from their community, according to School-Based Health Alliance.”

To celebrate, dental professionals can tag School-Based Health Alliance (@sbh4all) and use the #SBHCmonth19 hashtag to share personal stories and data. Participants are encouraged to facilitate official proclamations in their state legislature for the commemoration, host youth-led advocacy campaigns, share stories via social media and newsletters, and thank their school-based health center staff.

In addition, School-Based Health Alliance will host its annual Twitter chat at 2 pm ET on Feb. 21 through the hashtag #SBHCmonth19.

For more information, visit sbh4all.org. For additional resources on championing oral health in schools, visit ADA.org.