Purpose of the Early Dental Health Starter Kits
A 2016 survey of children in Nebraska's Head Start Program found that 46% had dental decay, a rate higher than the national average. Establishing early oral health habits can help prevent dental decay and early childhood caries, an infectious disease that may lead to severe pain, delayed language development, and malnutrition.
The UNMC College of Dentistry partnered with the Nebraska DHHS Office of Oral Health and Dentistry and the Nebraska Community Foundation to produce and distribute kits containing specialized oral hygiene items for children from birth to age six. The goal of the kits is to help prevent dental disease in children and to highlight the importance of establishing a dental home by the child’s first birthday, ensuring ongoing dental care and education.
Project Impact
These kits are provided at no cost to new parents and caregivers in hospitals, Head Start programs, daycares, WIC centers, and other locations. Over 250,000 early dental health starter kits have been produced and distributed across Nebraska.
Distribution Partners
- Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health
- Four Corners Health Department
- Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department
- Nebraska Hospital Association
- North Central District Health Department
- Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department
- Panhandle Public Health District
- Southeast District Health Department
- Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department
- Three Rivers Public Health Department
- Two Rivers Public Health Department
- West Central District Health Department
Support This Important Oral Health Initiative!
You can have a role in helping to prevent children's dental disease and ensuring all Nebraska children have healthy, confident smiles. All donations are greatly appreciated! Donate here through the University of Nebraska Foundation.