The Into the Mouths of Babes Program in North Carolina recently celebrated 25 years of helping young kids maintain better oral health. This initiative has inspired similar programs across the United States.
This program enables medical providers to offer preventive dental care, like fluoride treatments and check-ups, to kids under three and a half years old who are covered by N.C. Medicaid. Many might not know that tooth decay in young children is surprisingly common; it’s actually the most prevalent chronic disease among kids, outpacing asthma by five times.
Emily Horney, who coordinates early childhood oral health for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, explained that the program was launched because many young children lack access to dental care. Ashley Kranz, a senior policy researcher at RAND, noted that the original idea came from dentists advocating for better dental services in western North Carolina. This led to the Smart Smiles grant program in 1998, which evolved into Into the Mouths of Babes in 2000.
After its launch, the program was assessed by Dr. Richard “Gary” Rozier, a former professor at UNC, whose recent contributions helped highlight the program’s success. Dr. Mark Casey, the Dental Officer for N.C. Medicaid, praised Rozier as the mastermind behind the initiative.
Rozier’s research and findings underscored how vital this program is. His work not only shaped Into the Mouths of Babes but also influenced the development of similar initiatives nationwide. Thanks to these efforts, countless children across the country have gained access to essential dental care.
