(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, alongside Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, unveiled plans today for a new pilot program designed to improve the dental health of school-age children in Ohio, particularly in areas with critical needs. Hocking County is among the nine Ohio counties selected for the initiative.
Governor DeWine first introduced the Ohio Children’s Dental Services Pilot Program during his 2025 State of the State Address last week, highlighting the importance of addressing dental health disparities among children, especially those in underserved regions.
In 2023, nearly two-thirds (64%) of school-age children on Medicaid did not have a single dental visit throughout the year. Additionally, nearly one in five (19%) Ohio children had at least one untreated cavity during the previous school year. Poor dental health has been linked to a range of academic challenges, from difficulty focusing in class to higher absenteeism.
“Poor dental health can make it hard for a child to eat, sleep, or even talk – let alone learn,” Governor DeWine stated during his address. “It’s clear that many Ohio children have untreated, serious dental problems that follow them into adulthood. We must step up for these children.”
The pilot program, which will be part of the Governor’s executive budget proposal, will initially serve children in nine Ohio counties that have been identified as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSAs). These areas lack sufficient access to dental care providers, including nonprofit “safety net dental clinics” that cater to low-income families.
The counties included in the pilot program are:
- Clinton County
- Crawford County
- Gallia County
- Highland County
- Hocking County
- Monroe County
- Noble County
- Paulding County
- Washington County
The ODH will partner with healthcare providers, school districts, and local organizations to bring dental care directly to schools. This will include dental screenings, preventive services, and treatment for children most in need of care.
“Unlike vision screenings, Ohio does not require dental screenings in schools, and too many of our children are not receiving this essential care,” said Dr. Vanderhoff. “Untreated oral health conditions can lead to more serious health issues and even costly emergency department visits. This program will help improve our children’s health in some of the most underserved areas of the state.”
If the program is approved by the General Assembly, it is estimated that as many as 12,000 children in these high-need counties, including Hocking County, will benefit from dental services they would otherwise not have received due to lack of access.
Governor DeWine called on lawmakers to support the initiative, emphasizing its potential to create lasting improvements in children’s health and academic performance. “I ask for your support of this program,” he said during his State of the State Address.
The pilot program represents an important step toward ensuring that all Ohio children, regardless of their geographic location or family income, have access to the dental care they need to succeed in school and beyond. Advanced dental issues can have long-term consequences, leading to more severe health concerns in adulthood.
