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Fast Facts:

California’s children have twice as much untreated decay as their national counterparts.

Only 10% of California’s 8-year olds get sealants for their first permanent molars.

Only 30% of Californians currently receive the benefits of fluoridated water.

Kern County Children’s Dental Health Network
1800 30th Street, Ste. #230
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Tel: 661.377.0322 or 661.377.0323
Fax: 661.377.0329

KCCDHN
Kern County Children's Dental Health Network

Providing children's dental services at school

The Kern County Children’s Dental Health Network (KCCDHN) began providing dental services for Kern County children in December, 2000. The program was developed as a partnership between the Kern County Superintendent of Schools and West Kern Community College District (Taft College Dental Hygiene Program). The program is funded by First 5-Kern (Proposition 10). The primary goal of the mobile school-based dental program is to decrease the amount of decay in children, 1-5 years of age by improving access to dental services.

The dental services are provided by a cadre of KCCDHN staff including Stacy Eastman, DDS, 5 local pediatric dentists, Daniel Launspach, DDS; Daniel Purdy DMD; Edward Dove, DDS PC; Robert Bang DDS; and Kurt W. Sturz, DMD MS; 4 Dental Hygienists in Alternative Practice; and 25 second-year dental hygiene students from Taft College Dental Hygiene Program.

The dental hygiene students provide the preventive services at a school site, under the direction of Stacy Eastman DDS. Their services include oral health education, an oral screening, a plaque index, a prophylaxis, application of fluoride, and sealants, if age appropriate. Children who are identified as needing further treatment are then given the opportunity to be treated by one of the local subcontracted pediatric dentists, Dr. Launspach DDS, Dr. Purdy DDS, Dr. Dove DDS or Dr. Bang DDS in their respective offices. There are no fees for any of the dental services provided.

May Newsbite: Why a Mother's Oral Health is Important for a Child's Teeth According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is one of the most common infectious disease among U.S. children. In fact, more than 40 percent of young children have this contagious condition by the time they enter kindergarten. Studies have shown a link between a mother's oral health and her children’s. The bacteria, predominantly strep mutans, is passed from a parent (usually mom) when mom kisses baby on the mouth or puts the baby's spoon in her mouth to taste the baby's food. Decay in baby teeth results from an overgrowth of oral bacteria, and mothers, or other intimate caregivers, can pass this bacteria to their babies through close contact. What most moms don’t realize is that these affectionate gestures transfer common bacteria to the mouths of their children. Some of these bacteria, if coupled with sugary, high-carbohydrate diets, can attack primary teeth and cause devastating cavities. The good news is that tooth decay is a preventable disease. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that mothers practice good personal oral hygiene by reducing their own oral bacteria level by thoroughly brushing their teeth every morning and evening and flossing at least once daily. Mothers should use a fluoride toothpaste, and rinse nightly with an alcohol-free mouthwash that also contains fluoride. Click here for additional tips from Parenting.Com.