1856

The first state Dental Society in the nation was founded in North Carolina

1877

North Carolina’s State Board of Health established.

1908

The first scientific paper suggesting the need for dental education of schoolchildren was presented to the North Carolina Dental Society.

1910

A permanent Oral Hygiene Committee established by the Dental Society.

1918

Dr. George Cooper, State Board of Health, urged NC Dental Society to action on behalf of acute dental needs among schoolchildren; he also added oral hygiene to the public health agenda.

Dental society endorsed dental health program for schools and sought special funds from the state legislature.

Cooper employed six dentists and six nurses to work in the schools.

1919

First dentist, Dr. E.J. Tucker, appointed to the State Board of Health.

1921

First dentist employed to work for State Board of Health at state level : Dr. J.C. Johnson (served until 1928).

Purpose of dental program in the schools was fixed: Relief of pain and suffering and education on good dental health.

1929

Ernest A. Branch, DDS, became the State Supervisor of Oral Hygiene.

1931

Division of Oral Hygiene created by the State Board of Health — the first oral public health program in the nation.

State law passed placing a private dentist on all local boards of health.

1934

A Mouth Health Survey was conducted by NC Dental Society. Of those surveyed, 54.3% had never seen a dentist.

1935

Dr. Branch started the famous Little Jack Puppet Show which for 30 years visited schools all over the state educating students on dental health.

1936

The Institute of Public Health Dentistry was established in the UNC School of Medicine, another national first, for training dentists working in public health.

1941

A new Oral Hygiene Building, with equipment to process dental health education materials, built on the State Public Health campus.

1949

Charlotte, NC became the first city in the state to fluoridate public water supplies.

1950

UNC School of Dentistry was established.

Federal grants were made available to match North Carolina funds, to employ dentists in more counties.

1959

Ernest A. Pearson Jr., DDS, MPH, succeeded Dr. Branch as State Dental Director.

1960

A scientific survey of dental disease in North Carolina was conducted. This survey, mapped by Drs. John T. Fulton and John T. Hughes, was the first comprehensive state dental survey in the nation and the data from it became the basis for all future state dental health planning.

With a US Public Health Service grant, Dr. Pearson employed a trained health educator, Rebekah S. Bowden, to organize 36 statewide oral cancer seminars.

1965

The Dental Public Health program established a Dental Public Health Residency training program, one of the first in the country.

1966

Following a national fluoridation conference, North Carolina held its own conference in Greensboro to give momentum to community fluoridation.

1969

The North Carolina Citizens Committee for Dental Health was established. It lobbied successfully for funds from the Legislature to match local funds to buy fluoridation equipment.

The rural school water system fluoridation program began.

1971

Research identified a new, previously unknown enemy of dental health, plaque, and produced methods for combating the problem.

The NC Dental Society passed resolutions advocating a strong preventive dental program.

A Task Force for Community Preventive Dental Health Education was established by the Dental Society, with representation from the Society, dental public health, community college training auxiliaries and UNC School of Dentistry.

All dental public health personnel were trained in plaque control and directed to initiate plaque control programs in local health departments.

1972

Preventive dentistry (plaque control) workshops were conducted across the state by the task force for all North Carolina dentists and their auxiliaries.

Dental public health employed its first four dental hygienists to teach preventive dental health in counties.

Home Economics Extension agents and club leaders were taught the new preventive techniques in regional sessions.

First countywide fluoridation program started in Anson County.

NC Dental Public Health was awarded the American Dental Association’s first Preventive Dentistry Award.

First fluoride mouth rinse program started in Robeson County schools.

1973

The NC Dental Society, NC dental public health, allied agencies and institutions launched a 10-year plan designed to reduce dental disease by specific percentages, and, using a variety of approaches.

General Assembly passed a Preventive Dentistry Bill providing extra funds for rural school water fluoridation and employment of more dental hygienists.

Encouraged by dental society leaders, the Department of Public Instruction agreed to a new, much stronger, preventive dental program for the schools. The resulting coalition of dental, educational, and public health formed the Steering Committee for Preventive Dental Education in North Carolina schools.

1974

“A Teacher’s Guide to a Preventive Dental Health Program in North Carolina Schools” was developed by the NC Dental Health Section under the sponsorship of the Steering Committee for Preventive Dental Health Education in Schools.

1975

General Assembly again approved a Preventive Dentistry Bill, adding additional staff for the field.
Revision of NC public health laws required the state to provide residency training in dental public health.

1976

The Kellogg Foundation funded a follow-up epidemiological study of the Fulton-Hughes 1960 survey, “Natural History of Dental Disease in North Carolina” to determine progress of the preventive activities.

1977

The Kellogg study revealed much progress in reduction of dental disease, especially among schoolchildren over 15 years of age. Data also showed increase in reported amount of periodontal disease among some groups.

The NC General Assembly approved additional funds for dental public health staff.

1979

Dr. George G. Dudney named Chief of the Dental Health Section.

1980

NC Dental Society and dental public health staff conducted preventive dental health workshops for Dental Board of Health members.

First edition of “Framework for Dental Health Education” for use by teachers was published and distributed. This guide provided comprehensive lesson plans and resources for school teachers from pre-school through grade 6.

1983

The first statewide “Children’s Dental Health Month Contest,” was co-sponsored by the Dental Society, Public Instruction and Dental Public Health.

1984

All Dental Health Section staff dentists were trained in the application of the new occlusal sealants.

1985

The Dental Health Section was awarded a three-year grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Health Care Trust to conduct a new statewide oral health survey (the third since the 1960's), and to develop 20 videocassettes for use by classroom teachers.

1986

The General Assembly, with strong support from Dental Society leaders and others, approved a new bill to add positions to the Dental Health Section field staff.

1987

Statewide School Oral Health Survey completed in May: 6,674 students from 292 schools were examined by trained staff.

1988

A yearlong 70th Anniversary Celebration, “Thanks for the Smiles” was conducted to report progress in preventive dentistry, recognize partners and plan ahead. Activities included: statewide educational exhibits, NC State Fair exhibit, Earnest A. Pearson Foundation was established to honor the second NC public dental health director, and NC Symposium recommendations to continue public/private cooperation and recommendations for Division’s program planning.

1989

Dr. C. Jean Spratt named Chief of the Dental Health Section.

Tooth Surface Index of Fluorosis (TSIF) epidemiological survey in Asheville pediatric dentistry practice found higher than expected levels of mild fluorosis.

The Dental Health Section developed comprehensive Infection Control and Hazardous Materials manuals.

American Dental Association selects “NC Super Smiles” as the first place winner of the Samuel D. Harris National Children’s Dental Health Month State Program Award.

1990

70th Anniversary Symposium findings published in Journal of Public Health Dentistry, Volume 50, Number 2, Special Issue 1990.

In its 25th year, the Residency Program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

The National Toxicology Program peer review process of fluorides in Research Triangle Park (NC) reaffirms the importance of the appropriate use of fluorides.

1991

The 1986-1987 North Carolina School Oral Health Survey Monograph was published and distributed nationwide. Major findings included: Caries decline continues; 80% of decay filled; 85% of remaining decay is pit and fissure; sealants underutilized; 80% of remaining decay in 25% of North Carolina children.

The Dental Health Section clinical resources become dedicated entirely to prevention with emphasis on sealant promotion projects available to every county.

1992

A series of traveling dental health educational exhibits was developed covering 10 oral health topics. All 10 topical exhibits were made available to section staff and health educators across the state.

Dental objective included in the Healthy Carolinians 2000 Statewide Coalition: “Increase the percentages of children and youth whose permanent teeth are free of dental decay.”

1993

Piloted program to loan section dentists to local public health clinics on a short term basis to assist local programs with their financial viability.

The NC Dental Society Access to Care/Medicaid Liaison Committee was established with Dental Health Section representation.

A five part sealant initiative began with emphasis on: 1) School-based sealant demonstration projects 2) Sealant exhibits 3) Media campaign 4) Public-private sealant projects 5) “Ask Us About Sealants” point of purchase campaign.

1994

A Dental Public Health Residency project involved a scientific study to evaluate the effectiveness of the school water fluoridation (SWF) and fluoride mouthrinse (FMR) programs.

Based on study results, school water fluoridation program discontinued.

1995

North Carolina held a national symposium on the current issues of fluoride action, effectiveness and utilization.

Madison County Oral Health Intervention Project, designed to evaluate effectiveness of sealant program in a “real life” public health setting, demonstrated that targeting first and second graders as well as high-risk children increased effectiveness of sealants.

Standardized dental screening techniques developed to provide statistically valid assessment of decayed and filled teeth within each county.

Statewide sealant media campaign initiated. Two PSAs produced and all staff trained in using the media.

1996

Dr. Steve Cline named State Dental Director.

Statewide implementation of calibrated K and 5 dental screening assessment.

The Dental Health Section conducted Community Dentistry Workshop on how to develop local dental clinics.

Boards of Health workshops on sealant program conducted throughout the state to assist local board of health members, dentists and health directors.

A statewide task force on Dental Care for Children organized by the Dental Health Section and North Carolina Dental Society.

1997

NC Dental Practice Act amended to allow private not-for-profit health care facilities serving low income populations to operate a Prevent Decay - Get Sealants dental practice.

Last major community water system fluoridated in Hendersonville, NC.

1998

Seal the State in ‘98: Dental Public Health 80th Anniversary observance is a statewide sealant initiative to prevent decay through increased utilization of dental sealants.

January 8-9: National “Seal the State in ‘98” Symposium.

February 6: Community-based sealant projects conducted in every county of the state.

1999

Dr. Rick Mumford named State Dental Director

Oral Health Section provided increased technical assistance and support to local Health Departments and non-profit organizations in establishing local dental clinics across the state. This work helped in the establishment of an Access to Care Dental Net across the state.

“Smart Smiles” three-year grant begins. Pilot program for physicians to work with very young children to prevent dental decay.

NC Dental Practice Act was amended to allow Public health trained dental hygienists to work under direction of a licensed dentist, as opposed to working under direct supervision of a licensed dentist.

2000

All field staff in the NC Oral Health Section now have a computer. Electronic communication among all staff takes place for the first time.

2001

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) grant money used to evaluate the effectiveness of Fluoride varnish in the Smart Smiles Program.

Center for Disease Control (CDC) approves Special Interest Project (S.I.P) grand funds for a state wide children’s dental survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the North Carolina State Preventive Dental Health Program.

2002

Annual statewide kindergarten and grade 5 dental screening assessment changed to every other year. On the alternate year the focus is on assessment of high-risk schools where dental access is available.

Evaluation of School Fluoride Mouthrinse program resulting in the elimination of the program. A stronger emphasis will now be placed on sealants for caries prevention in school age children.

NC Oral Health Section promoted National Children's Dental Health Month through a collaborative campaign with the North Carolina Dental Society tiled “I’m Too Cool for Cavities”.

2003

Oral Health Section worked in partnership with the NC Dental Society, NC Dental Hygienist Association, and Dental Assisting Association as part of National Give Kids A Smile Day, 2/21/03.

Began a new statewide Oral Health Survey. This survey, first done in 1960, is done about every 15 years. The data generated from this survey forms the basis for planning future oral public health initiatives.