Dental programs
Garfield County, in partnership with Community Health Services Inc., provides preventive dental services in the area from Aspen to Parachute.
Registered dental hygienists use mobile dental equipment and travel throughout the Aspen to Parachute region to provide preventive oral health services and link clients to a permanent dental home.
The program provides:
Oral evaluation – evaluation of the mouth (without X-rays)
Dental sealants – protective barrier placed on molars to “seal” out cavities.
Prophy (dental cleaning)
Oral hygiene instruction
Fluoride varnish – a protective treatment “painted” onto teeth
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) – a preliminary treatment used on cavities to help stop or slow tooth decay, while remineralizing and strengthening tooth enamel. SDF may eliminate the need for dental fillings and anesthesia.
Referral and assistance – finding a dental home.
TeleORALhealth – virtual dental hygiene appointments conducted in your own home.
Smiles for Students
A team of registered dental hygienists visits Garfield County elementary and middle schools once per year. Students conveniently receive care in school during the school day. The schedule of schools varies from year to year. Check with your school to see when Smiles is coming. Services are provided at no cost to the school or families and would cost over $300 in a private dental office. Medicaid/CHP+ may be billed.
Smiles for Seniors
This low-cost program provides adults aged 60 and over with oral evaluations, oral cancer screenings, cleanings, fluoride varnishes, oral health education, and treatment referrals. The focus is to provide quality preventative care for seniors from Aspen to Parachute and to connect them with a dental home. Call 970-309-2064 for an appointment.
Prenatal dental hygiene clinics and clinics for kids 5 and under
Operating in various locations throughout the valley, registered dental hygienists provide preventative oral health care to pregnant women and young children. No cost. Medicaid/CHP+ may be billed. Services include an oral evaluation (without X-rays), dental cleaning, oral hygiene instruction, fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride, referral, and assistance finding a dental home. Call 970-309-2064 for an appointment.
TeleORALhealth
Complete a virtual dental screening with a dental hygienist over your phone, tablet, or computer from the comfort of your own home. No cost. Medicaid/CHP+ may be billed. The provider will talk with you about any dental concerns you have, give brushing & flossing advice, discuss healthy foods, and how to prevent, stop, and fix cavities and gum disease.
Preschool screenings
A dental hygienist is available to travel to preschools and provide children with screenings, fluoride varnishes, treatment referrals and oral health education.
Resources for school personnel:
The following are resources and forms for use by school personnel.
2023-2024 preschool and kindergarten, dental screening parent opt-out (English/Español) form
2023-2024 elementary school, Smiles for Students parent permission (English/Español) form
2023-2024 middle school, Smiles for Students parent permission (English/Español) form
2023-2024 silver diamine fluoride parent consent (English/Español) form