Skip to main content

Oral health

 

Need a dentist?

Routine visits with a trusted dental provider are important. Choosing a dentist will help you and your family get regular cleanings, x-rays, and other services to keep your mouths healthy.

The County of Santa Clara has many dental providers. If you have dental insurance, ask your insurance if a dental provider is covered before making your choice. You can also ask a friend or a family member about their dentist to help you find a dental provider. If you do not have dental insurance, look for a dental clinic or dental provider that offers a sliding fee scale. This may lessen the worry over dental treatment costs.

After you choose a provider, get familiar with the types of services they offer, and get to know the staff who will treat you and your family. A personal connection to a dental provider can help motivate you to stay on track with oral health visits.

Review these local resources to find a dental provider who fits your family’s needs:

Back to oral health categories 


 

Get dental coverage

Got Medi-Cal? You may have dental coverage too! Medi-Cal offers many dental benefits at any age, including routine exams, cleanings, and x-rays. Medi-Cal also covers fillings, dentures, and emergency services.

If you have concerns about your teeth, schedule an appointment to see your dentist right away. Medi‑Cal will pay up to $1,800 a year for covered dental services. Medi-Cal may go over the $1,800 limit for some services if they are medically needed. If you’re pregnant, you may qualify for a “no yearly limit benefit.” Contact the Medi-Cal Dental Program for details:

Dental visits and emergencies:

Going to the dentist is an important part of keeping your mouth and body healthy. If you have tooth pain, bleeding gums, or face swelling, it is important to visit a dental provider right away. These could be warning signs of a worsening problem that could lead to expensive treatment or tooth loss. Visit a dentist for dental exams and a hygienist for cleanings at least twice a year for better oral health.

Dental visit resources:

Back to oral health categories 


 

Oral health information

Did you know that cavities and gum disease are preventable? Having good oral health is easy for both you and your family. Good home care and regular dental visits are needed to make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy.

Use these tips to keep your teeth and gums healthy:

Learn more about common issues that can affect your teeth and gums:

More oral health topics to explore:

Back to oral health categories 


 

Water fluoridation

Preventing dental disease through water fluoridation has been proven equitable, safe, and effective for over 70 years. Putting fluoride in the water helps prevent tooth decay for all members of the community, including people who may not have access to dental care. Since 2020, tooth decay rates in our community have skyrocketed. Read the resources below about water fluoridation and how to find out if the water in your area is fluoridated:

Back to oral health categories 


 

Oral health events

The Oral Health Program (OHP) partners with schools, health organizations, and nonprofits to bring oral health resources to the community. Throughout the year, the OHP sponsors and promotes a variety of health events hosted by public health partners and community-based organizations. Free oral health screening events are a great way to help your child learn how to build healthy habits. If you have a child starting public school in kindergarten or first grade, these events can often help you receive the state-required Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) exam.

  • No events at this time, please be sure to check back later.

Know of an upcoming public health event? Need the oral health program to add an oral health component to your event? Please contact us.

Back to oral health categories 


 

Get involved

Want to become more involved with teeth and health in your community? The Oral Health Program (OHP) welcomes your input to help make the County of Santa Clara a healthier and cavity-free community for everyone. 

If you work in the health or dental field and are interested in learning more about oral health outreach, would like more information on oral health events or collaboration opportunities, please contact us. The OHP is looking for people who are passionate about oral health equity to join our oral health collaborative. These are some of the priority populations we serve and focus areas we discuss:

  • Pregnant persons
  • Children 0-18 and foster youth to age 26
  • Older adults and those with disabilities
  • Unhoused and reentry populations
  • Culturally-specific groups (for example, African/African Ancestry, Latinx, AAPI, Indigenous, and LGBTQ2IA+)

Back to oral health categories 


Healthy Communities Branch

1775 Story Road
Suite 120
San Jose, CA 95122
United States

Fax: (408) 251-4014