Oral health is vitally important to overall health and well-being. Research has shown a link to diabetes, heart and lung disease, stroke, respiratory illnesses and conditions that could occur in pregnant women such as the delivery of pre-term and low birth weight infants. Dental disease is largely preventable through effective health promotion and dental disease prevention programs.

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (DOH-Hillsborough) strives to improve and maintain the oral health of people.  The Department provides direct dental care services to our HIV/AIDS patients, and contracts with Tampa Family Health Center and Suncoast Community Health Center to provide outreach dental services through our School Based Sealant Program and Community Dental Program.  DOH-Hillsborough also collects and analyzes data for our outreach dental programs to better serve Hillsborough County.