Dental Health Task Force

The Dental Health Task Force of the Wilkes Community Health Council works to provide education and resources for children and adults for whom dental pain and disability is a source of low self esteem, absenteeism, and abjection.

Goals

The task force's goals are to:

• Increase the number of healthcare providers who provide fluoride varnish for children under age 5
• Promote the Seal-Out Program by applying sealants to 1st year molars and permanent teeth to as many 3rd grade children as possible
• Increase awareness of nursing bottle caries
• Decrease the new cases of decay in small children

Dental Health: Sick Care

Wilkes County Health Department provides administrative support to the Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic located in the West Park business park in North Wilkesboro. The Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic has served in excess of 8,000 children and adults. Since its opening, another two dentists, one a surgeon, have been hired.

For Infants & Children

Children's dental health in Wilkes County has improved since the Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic opened in 2000. In 2001 a mobile dental unit was outfitted through an anonymous donation to go to the schools to provide care.