The Office of Dental Health (ODH) promotes the oral health and well-being of Alameda County residents. This is achieved by: assessing the community’s needs, providing dental health education, providing linkages to needed resources, and collaborating with community partners. We also provide some direct services, including dental screenings, fluoride varnish and sealants through our school-based programs and at WIC sites. We strive to decrease health disparities and ensure oral health equity by increasing access to care for Medi-Cal recipients, the uninsured and under-insured. We work with policymakers to develop strategies to promote oral health and prevent oral disease.
A healthy smile goes a long way!
A one-page flyer on how the Office of Dental Health supports healthy smiles in Alameda County: English | Chinese | Spanish
Vision & Mission
The Office of Dental Health supports efforts to improve the oral health of Alameda County residents by partnering with the community to assess oral health status and resources and to assure access to community-based services and oral health education. We actively engage in policy development that incorporates evidence-based dental disease prevention and promotes oral health equity.
History
| 2021 | Shakalpi Pendurkar, DDS, MPH, FICD, FACD appointed Dental Health Administrator |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Strategic Plan (2019-2024) launched |
| 2017 | Healthy Teeth Healthy Communities (2017-2020) launched |
| 2012 | Strategic Plan (2012-2017) launched |
| 2007 | Publication of ODH (More Than A Toothache) based on needs assessment (K and 3rd graders) |
| 2005 | Oral Health Needs Assessment of children completed |
| 2003 | WIC Dental Days started |
| 2002 | Healthy Smiles program started |
| 2001 | Healthy Kids Healthy Teeth Program (2001-2017) launched |
| 1989 | School-based Sealant Program Started |
| 1975 | Jared Fine, DDS appointed Dental Health Administrator (1975-2014) |
| 1970 | Office of Dental Health established |
Oral Health Committee
Established in 2012, the Oral Health Committee of the Alameda County Public Health Commission provides oversight of the implementation, prioritization and quality assurance of the Strategic Plan on Oral Health. The committee is comprised of select Public Health Commissioners, dental health professionals, medical professionals, and oral health advocates who have the expertise and interest in advocating for policies that promote dental health.