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NCDHHS Program Celebrates 25 Years of Promoting Healthy Smiles for Young Children

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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Into the Mouths of Babes program, a partnership that delivers preventive oral health services to young children insured by NC Medicaid. Since 2000, this program has helped medical providers across the state give infants and toddlers early dental evaluations, preventive oral health care and other dental services that lay the foundation for good health.


"Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children," said Dr. Patrick Roberson, DDS, North Carolina State Dental Director. "This program provides vital oral health services for children who need it most and connects medical and dental care to improve outcomes."


Into the Mouths of Babes was originally piloted in nine western North Carolina counties as the "Smart Smiles" program in the mid-1990’s. In 2001, the program expanded statewide and established a reimbursement package through NC Medicaid.


"Since Into the Mouths of Babes began, more than 2.8 million claims have been submitted for preventive oral health services," said Dr. Mark Casey, DDS, MPH, Dental Officer for NC Medicaid. "This is the finest example of a cost-effective preventive oral health care program at work."


Early oral health evaluations provided through Into the Mouths of Babes allow medical providers to identify issues before they become serious, ensuring families can get help early. Additionally, caregiver education provided by the program gives families the tools they need to support healthy habits for life.


"Our rural pediatric practice has provided fluoride treatments to infants and toddlers for over 15 years," said Dr. Marston Crawford, MD, FAAP, pediatrician for Coastal Children’s Clinic. "These treatments, combined with caregiver discussion about early oral health, have sharply reduced cavities and preventable dental surgery. The majority of our children enter kindergarten cavity-free."


Training and community outreach are key to the program’s long-term success. NCDHHS employs 20 public health dental hygienists in 10 regions across the state who provide training for Into the Mouths of Babes. The American Academy of Family Physicians also provides continuing medical education hours to physicians who attend an NCDHHS training session.


Key program partners include NC Medicaid, the NCDHHS Division of Public Health’s Oral Health Section, UNC Adams School of Dentistry, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, the North Carolina Pediatric Society and the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians among others. 


"The NC Academy of Family Physicians is proud to support this program," said Gregory Griggs, Executive Vice President of the Academy. "It has made a huge difference in reducing tooth decay for children across North Carolina."


For more information on the program, including partnerships and the online toolkit, visit the Into the Mouths of Babes webpage

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