Oral Health & Nutrition

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, occurring up to five times more frequently than asthma. Untreated, it can result in serious infections in other parts of the body.

Underscoring the severity of the oral health problem in Los Angeles County, a study released in 2009 entitled the “The Children’s Dental Health Project of Los Angeles County” conducted by the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Schools of Dentistry and commissioned by First 5 LA and other partners showed that 72 percent of children under age 5 in underserved communities have untreated cavities.  That is more than double the national average among youngsters in comparable populations.

Improving children’s dental health in Los Angeles County has been a major priority for First 5 LA. In response to the findings and clear call to action of the children’s dental health project, First 5 LA reaffirmed its priority and commitment to improving children’s oral health.

To address the critical children’s oral health issue in Los Angeles, First 5 LA funds a variety of dental health services and specialized professional trainings.

Two First 5 LA investment areas focusing on children’s oral health are:

1. Oral Health and Nutrition Expansion and Enhancement
In 2006, First 5 LA approved the $10 million Oral Health and Nutrition (OHN) Expansion and Enhancement Project to coordinate and build on other oral health and nutrition efforts for children ages of 0–5 through:

Learn more about Oral Health and Nutrition Expansion and Enhancement Project»

2. Oral Health and Community Development
Community water fluoridation is safe and effective in preventing tooth decay, especially when provided through the water supply to children during their tooth forming years. Water fluoridation has been identified by the Centers for Disease Control as one of the 10 most important public health achievements of the 20th Century.

The First 5 LA Commission approved an Oral Health Community Development (OHCD) Project in 2007 as an additional step in its ongoing efforts to improve the quality of oral health of children in Los Angeles County. The program provided funding for fluoridation infrastructure to eligible water agencies that elect to bring their water to optimal levels of fluoride for increased dental health. 

Four water suppliers in Los Angeles County have been awarded First 5 LA OHCD grants to enhance their drinking water to optimal fluoridation levels to help prevent tooth decay. They are Park Water Company, City of Santa Monica Water Resources Division, Golden State Water Company and the City of Torrance Public Works Department.

Grant requests from other water agencies are currently under evaluation. For further information contact Karen Robertson-Fall at (213) 482-7503.