Who we are.
The School Oral Health Program (SOHP) is a statewide initiative of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an office of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Established in the mid-1970s, SOHP is one of the oldest state-run oral health programs in the country and is fully funded by the State of Maine.
SOHP is dedicated to improving the oral health of Maine’s students by increasing access to preventive dental services, conducting oral health assessments, and providing education to children, families, schools, and health care providers. Recent legislation has expanded the program’s reach, charging it to support all schools in Maine.
Oral Health Focus Areas
Preventive Services
We support no-cost preventive services for students, including oral health screenings, fluoride varnish applications, dental sealants, and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) treatments. We also offer training and ongoing support to dental hygienists, school nurses, and other healthcare providers to deliver these services within schools.
Oral Health Education
We provide oral health education materials—including classroom resources—designed to empower students, families, and school staff by highlighting oral health as a vital part of overall well-being.
Data Collection and Assessment
We collect data on the oral health of school-aged children in Maine to guide our program decisions and strengthen statewide oral health initiatives.
Our Team
Program Manager: Danielle Peterson
Assistant Program Manager: Chantelle Roddy
Program Communications Coordinator: Jessica Daniels (not pictured)
This program is funded by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Under Maine DHHS) and operates under contract with MCD Global Health. Our small, dedicated program team is made up of MCD Global Health employees committed to supporting the health and well-being of Maine students!
IS ORAL HEALTH CARE OFFERED IN YOUR SCHOOL?
Bring Preventive Care to YOU
With our network of prevention partners- find the best fit for your school!
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools can choose how they participate based on their needs and priorities. They may opt to use our free Oral Health Education resources, which include engaging classroom videos, student worksheets, take-home materials for families, and training and support for school nurses. Schools can also choose to offer Preventive Clinical Services, with tiered options such as dental screenings, fluoride treatments, SDF, and sealants—customized to meet each school’s needs.
No. Oral health assessments, our current clinical services offerings (fluoride varnish, SDF, and dental sealants), education materials, and school nurse trainings are offered at no cost. Some of the organizations and providers with which we partner may bill MaineCare or private insurance for additional services or treatments, but no child is denied the SOHP foundational services.
All schools approved by the Maine Department of Education are eligible to participate reguardless of status. Students PK-12 who attend a school that offers our preventive clinical services school are eligible to recieve a free dental screening and fluoride varnish and can access education material at any time on our website.
No sign-up is required to download educational resources! They are available at anytime on our webiste under the ‘Education’ tab.
School can express interest in preventative services by contacting the SOHP team directly via phone or email. Join our email list to stay up-to-date on seasonal opportunities!
"This program is undoubtedly a valuable asset in supporting the overall health and wellness of our students. We are deeply appreciative of the Maine School Oral Health Program's commitment to our children."
— Melinda Nadeau School Nurse