Washington County Public Health > Our Services > Child Health

I-Smile™ is an Iowa initiative to help keep kids healthy!

We are a statewide program, working to prevent cavities before they start, helping parents get kids to the dentist, and sharing information with medical & dental providers, teachers, parents and everyone about the importance of oral health for kids to stay healthy. I-Smile also serves WIC clients by providing dental screening, applying fluoride and helping coordinate dental appointments. I-Smile is very involved with promoting the importance of oral health by participating in community events.

I-Smile also has I-Smile™ @ School.

I-Smile™ @ School is a dental program that provides at no-cost dental screenings, sealants, fluoride varnish and education for students. Because tooth decay can impact a student’s ability to learn, eat, sleep, speak properly and build self-confidence, I-Smile™ @ School services are provided during the school day and prevent kids from missing school for dental visits.

Improving the dental support system for families.
Improving the dental Medicaid program.
Implementing recruitment and retention strategies for underserved areas.
Integrating dental services into rural and critical access hospitals.
Based on a dental home model.
Primary prevention and care coordination are the focus of the project, centered in the Public Health network.

More About Our Services

School Dental Screenings

All Iowa children enrolling in Kindergarten or 9th grade are required to have a dental screening.

School-based Sealant Program

Dental sealants are provided to qualifying schools in Washington and Henry County with 40% or greater of free or reduced lunch rates.

Fluoride Varnish Program

Fluoride varnish can be used on very young children to older children

Silver Diamine Fluoride

It can be used on children and adults and is very cost effective, using only one drop to treat multiple teeth.

Silver Diamine Fluoride

Silver Diamine Fluoride is a topical, minimally invasive treatment used to prevent and arrest tooth decay and decrease tooth sensitivity. It can be used on children and adults and is very cost effective, using only one drop to treat multiple teeth.

The Iowa Department of Public Health and the University of Iowa College of Dentistry collaborated on the development of a Silver Diamine Fluoride Protocol. This protocol provides more information on background, effectiveness, and application of silver diamine fluoride. Washington County Public Health provides Silver diamine fluoride to children enrolled on the WIC program at Washington or Henry County during WIC visits only.

Other services provided: