New survey tracks progress of school oral health programs in San Bernardino County

Woman smiling outdoors holding an oversized red toothbrush. — Monica Garcia, Statistical Analyst for the Smile SBC and Workforce Development programs in the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health and Timmy the Toothbrush.

A new annual School Oral Health Partner Survey is helping the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Smile SBC program track the reach and impact of school-based oral health programs. Launched in 2023, the survey collects data from all 10 dental provider organizations serving local elementary schools. It measures program growth, identifies areas for improvement, and fulfills state reporting requirements for the California Office of Oral Health (OOH).

This year’s results show continued expansion, with active oral health programs now serving 194 schools in 2024–25. As part of the overall data collected during the last school year, 29,213 students received an oral health screening — a 13% increase from 2022–23, and 21,687 received preventive dental services, a 5% increase.

The survey was developed by Monica Garcia, statistical analyst for the Department of Public Health’s Smile SBC program and recently gained statewide attention. In May 2025, Garcia was invited by the California Oral Health Technical Assistance Center at the University of California, San Francisco, under contract with the OOH, to present the tool to their data subcommittee. Representatives from multiple counties attended to learn about the survey and explore how similar approaches could help address oral health data challenges in their own regions.

Nancy Mai, Program Consultant for the California Office of Oral Health, praised the effort. “Smile SBC has built strong partnerships and established new connections with various organizations to advance oral health among students. Their dedicated efforts have significantly increased school-based screenings and data collection. A heartfelt thank you to Smile SBC and all dental and school partners for your collaborative efforts to improve student health in San Bernardino County.”

Dental provider in protective gear checking a young child’s teeth. — Jennifer Nowotney, RDHAP, of The Friendly Flosser cleans a student’s teeth at Hawthorne Elementary School in the Ontario/Montclair Unified School District.

Tooth decay, though preventable, remains widespread, affecting more than half of San Bernardino County kindergarteners and three-fourths of third graders. Poor oral health is linked to lower school attendance, reduced academic performance, and negative psychosocial outcomes such as shyness and low self-esteem. With nearly 870,000 school days missed each year due to dental problems, schools lose an estimated $60 million annually, making oral health improvement essential for both student success and school funding.

Smile SBC, the Local Oral Health Program within the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, is funded by the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Oral Health to support initiatives that improve the oral health of county residents.

Expanding school-based programs remains a key focus, delivering screenings and services directly to students and helping to overcome barriers to dental care. If you know of a school that could benefit from an oral health program and/or if you would like to receive the School Oral Health Partner Survey Report, contact Smile SBC at info@SmileSBC.org.

Additional County Update News – September 4, 2025