Lane County Public Health Department

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Early Childhood Cavities Prevention Program

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General Information
The Lane County Early Childhood Cavities Prevention (ECCP) Program improves oral health in the community by providing: dental health education and prevention services to pregnant women and children, changing public health practices related to dental care, and coordinating and advocating for community changes to improve access to dental care.

Links on this Page
How the Program Works
Who the Program Serves
How ECCP Benefits Lane County
Coalition for Healthcare Providers
Further Information
Contact

How the ECCP Program Works
The ECCP Program collaborates with community members, dental professionals and other healthcare organizations. The program is delivered by Lane County Maternal Child Health (MCH) Nurses. During home visits Nurses screen and educate adult clients on strategies to improve their dental health and that of their children.

The Maternal Child Health nurses also:

• Screen and assess infants and children in MCH programs for risk of oral health problems
• Apply a fluoride varnish to children at high risk for cavities
• Encourage and help parents to make regular dental appointments for themselves and their children

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Who the ECCP Program Serves
The ECCP Program is only available to clients served by MCH Programs.  To find out about the MCH Programs call (541) 682-4013 or click here.

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How the ECCP Program Benefits Lane County
The Lane County ECCP Program improves the oral health of pregnant women and children.

• A pregnant woman’s oral health problems can increase the risk of miscarriage - so improving oral health also improves pregnancy outcomes.
• Dental cavities are an infectious and communicable disease. The bacterium that causes cavities can spread from mother-to-baby and dissolve the enamel on the surface of the baby’s teeth. This leads to increased childhood cavities.
• Preventing dental cavities in pregnant women reduces the chance that harmful bacteria will be transmitted to their children. 
• Educating parents prepares them to teach their children how to care for their teeth.
• Helping parents find a dental provider improves the chance that the whole family will receive future dental care.

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Coalition for Healthcare Providers
The Lane County Dental Coalition, a group of dental, public health, and MCH professionals work together to identify and bridge gaps in dental services available in our community.

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Further Information

Lane County

LCPH Programs

• Babies First!
• CaCoon
• Healthy Start
• Immunization Program
• Maternal & Child Health
• Prenatal Assistance Program
• WIC

State

• Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Oral (Dental) Health Program
• • Educational Materials and Resources

National

• Oral Health (PDF) – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – Preventing Cavities, Gum Disease, and Tooth Loss
• Fluoridated water related links – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC&P)

For Oral Healthcare Professionals

• American Dental Association – fact sheets developed for Dentists and other oral healthcare professionals to copy and hand out to their patients.
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry – membership organization representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry

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Contact

Phone : (541) 682-3781
Program Coordinator: Jennifer Jordan, MPH

LCPH services are available regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status.  LCPH facilities are wheelchair accessible. LCPH materials are available upon request in alternative formats such as: large print, Braille and other languages.