Community-based Children's Oral Health Task Forces
Task Force Vision
To enable communities at highest risk for dental decay to promote oral health in the most effective ways for their community
In San Francisco, rates of dental caries found in kindergarten screenings range from 40% to almost 60% in certain neighborhoods among African American, Latino and Asian American children, with Asian American children experiencing the highest rates of dental decay.
Communities at highest risk include families whose first language is not English, immigrant families, Medi-Cal eligible or enrolled, and children with special health care needs.
Our Work
Community-based oral health task forces are implementing the Children’s Oral Health Strategic Plan for San Francisco by:
- Improving access to culturally competent care and appropriate utilization of services
- Determining best practices of community-level oral health behavior practices based on community-identified needs and preferences
- Implementing those findings to promote and encourage adoption of healthier oral health behaviors
- Targeting parents/guardians and other caregivers (including grandparents, teachers and family childcare providers) of low-income children ages 0-10
Chinatown
The Chinatown Task Force on Children’s Oral Health is led by NICOS Chinese Health Coalition. This task force targets parents/guardians and other caregivers living in Chinatown, as well as Asian American and Chinese-speaking low-income families living throughout San Francisco.
Mission District
The Mission Children’s Oral Health Task Force is led by CARECEN SF (Central American Resource Center). This task force targets parents/guardians and other caregivers living in the San Francisco Mission District, but also Latino and Spanish-speaking low-income families living throughout San Francisco.
Bayview–Hunters Point
The Bayview–Hunters Point Children’s Oral Health Task Force is led by APA Family Support Services. This task force targets parents/guardians and other caregivers living in the Bayview–Hunters Point area of San Francisco, but also African American and other low-income families living throughout San Francisco.
