Texas Initiative Aims to Transform Teachers Into Oral Health Champions
A new program at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s School of Dentistry is enlisting teachers to help fight childhood caries, one of South Texas’ most pressing public health issues. By empowering educators with knowledge, training, and classroom tools, the initiative seeks to create lifelong healthy habits in children while strengthening community-wide prevention.
A new project led by scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s School of Dentistry is tackling one of South Texas’ most persistent health challenges: childhood oral disease. With one of the lowest dentist-to-patient ratios in the nation and some of the highest childhood caries rates, researchers are launching a 2-year, school-centered initiative to turn elementary school teachers into “oral health champions.”
The program is led by Yvonne Buischi, DDS, PhD, and her colleagues at the Center for Global and Community Oral Health. By equipping teachers with practical training and resources, the project aims to help educators teach students ages 5 to 10 the importance of daily oral care, healthy nutrition, and regular dental visits. Lessons will be offered in both English and Spanish to reflect the cultural diversity of the region. What remains unknown is how willing teachers, historically underpaid and under intense scrutiny, are in taking on additional duties in the classroom. Click here to read more.
