Recent research findings which have pointed to possible relationships between oral health infections and general health problems such as diabetes, heart and lung disease, stroke, and premature birth. As part of my vision to see King County become the healthiest county in the United States, we need to continue our efforts in making dental services accessible for all residents of the county. Oral health concerns have consistently been a focus of Public Health's efforts locally. Fluoridated water is a particularly cost-effective public health measure, costing less than a dollar per resident per year. Public Health's Oral Health Program operates a nationally recognized school based program providing dental sealants since 1986.
Sealants prevent cavities on the biting surfaces of molars, where most cavities occur.
Teams of dental professionals go into those elementary schools that have large proportions of low-income students to place dental sealants on the new, permanent molars of second graders. The program operates at no cost to the school or the families. Public Health provides a system of publicly funded dental clinics providing dental care to low income residents. These clinics are located throughout King County, with services focused primarily towards children and the elderly. As with general health, oral health status tends to vary on the basis of socio-economic factors.