National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety
Dental Hygienist Liaison Project
Because of the importance of oral health during pregnancy and early childhood, in 2012 the National Center on Health, supported by the Office of Head Start (OHS), in partnership with the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), created the Dental Hygienist Liaison (DHL) project. From 2012-2026, one dental hygienist from each state volunteered to help promote oral health for pregnant women and children enrolled in Head Start. The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center was the project lead for OHS-funded oral health activities and worked in partnership with ASTDD, which coordinated the DHL project.
Dental Hygienist Liaison Responsibilities:
- Provided a communication link between OHS-funded national center and Head Start agencies in their states.
- Collaborated with state organizations such as oral health programs, Head Start collaboration offices, and Head Start Association offices.
- Provided oral health presentations at state conferences and meetings.
- Offered strategies to improve access to oral health care for pregnant women and children enrolled in Head Start programs.
- Worked with oral health professionals to establish partnerships with local Head Start programs to provide staff education and training.
- Shared information about the importance of oral health and regular oral health visits, good nutrition and oral hygiene practices, and oral-injury-prevention strategies with Head Start program staff.
- Servied on Head Start state-level committees (e.g., Head Start health manager networks) and state-level oral health advisory boards and coalitions to promote the oral health of Head Start participants.
Information about Head Start
- Head Start Center Locator
- Head Start Performance Standards Related to Oral Health
- Program Information Reports
Key Contacts
- Head Start Collaboration Offices by State - Head Start Collaboration Offices (HSCO) facilitate partnerships between Head Start recipients and state entities that provide services to benefit families with low-incomes.
- Head Start Regional Health Specialists
- National Head Start Association (NHSA) - NHSA works to promote policy change to ensure all children at high risk have access to the Head Start model of support for the child, family, and the community.
- Regional and State Head Start Associations
- State Oral Health Coalitions
- State Oral Health Programs
Educational Materials
HeadStart.gov is a central repository for materials for Head Start staff and others who work to support health and behavioral health for pregnant women and children enrolled in Head Start programs. The materials listed on the oral health section of the HeadStart.gov website are approved for sharing with Head Start staff and families. DHLs are encouraged to save this site as a favorite and refer to it often when responding to questions from Head Start staff and families. These materials cover a wide variety of oral health topics such as dental visits, fluoride, nutrition, oral health care, oral hygiene, and safety and emergency first aid.
This monthly newsletter provides Head Start staff with materials to promote good oral health in the program and at home. It also includes a recipe for a healthy snack that children can make in a Head Start program or at home with their families. Archived issues of the newsletter can be accessed here. To subscribe to receive future issues of Resources to Make You Smile!, visit HeadStart.gov. Once on the page, enter your e-mail address and then select Oral Health.
