SAN BERNARDINO – (INT) - The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health has launched a new website to increase awareness about the importance of oral health.

The website is the result of expert input from community partners in the Smile San Bernardino County (Smile SBC) network, including dental and health education professionals.

Included on the website www.smilesbc.org are resources for people looking for oral health information for themselves and their family.

In San Bernardino County, there are significant oral health disparities in ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

Additionally:
• Tooth decay is the most common health issue in San Bernardino County, with 3 out of 4 third graders and over half of kindergarten students experiencing tooth decay.
• Student absences due to dental problems cost California school districts almost $30 million annually.
• Only 1 in 3 pregnant women in San Bernardino County go to the dentist during pregnancy even though it is safe and highly recommended.
• Almost half of all adults in the Inland Empire have lost a tooth to a preventable dental disease.

Story Date: September 22, 2021