LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This year marks the 15th year anniversary of First 5 in Lake County.

It is a great time to celebrate young children and remember what a difference we can make in their lives.

First 5 Lake funds local programs that educate parents, grandparents, caregivers and teachers about the critical role they play during a child’s first five years.

One locally funded program is the Children’s Oral Health Project, which provides a comprehensive program of dental screenings, oral health education for preschoolers and their families, application of fluoride varnishes and sealants applied on site in schools and case management to get children to the dentist for treatment.

The project has screened more than 50,000 children during its 12 year history, helping children get to the dentist if they need care.

The project is a partnership between Lake County Office of Education’s Healthy Start program, Lake County Public Health’s Dental Disease Prevention Program, Mendocino Community Health Center and St. Helena Health Center, plus all seven Lake County school districts.

Children are screened at school, they receive positive oral health care education and case management for follow up care.  

A recent cost benefit analysis showed that the five year decrease in health care expenses due to the oral health program is $1,252,391 in today’s dollars.

Comparing the costs of the project with the resulting health care savings, the program’s return on investment over five years results in $7.95 in health care savings for every dollar spent – a real impact on the area’s health care costs.

The Children’s Oral Health project has received statewide recognition as an example of the best in rural dental disease prevention programs. Lake County’s youngest residents deserve the best we can give them.

This is the third in a series of articles recognizing the 15th anniversary of First 5.