Child Health

Halifax County Health Department provides child health services to include dental varnishing, health check, and Immunizations.

Dental Varnishing

Halifax County Health Department also provides dental varnishing for child health clients. Fluoride varnish is a temporary protective coating that is painted on teeth to help prevent new cavities and to help stop cavities that have already started.

Tooth decay is one of the most common preventable diseases seen in children. Children as young as 12 to 18 months can get cavities. Cavities in baby teeth can cause pain and even prevent children from being able to eat, speak, sleep and learn properly. Children do not lose all their baby teeth until they are about 11 or 12 years old.

Is fluoride varnish safe? Yes, fluoride varnish can be used on babies from the time they have their first teeth. Only a very small amount of fluoride varnish is used. This method of providing fluoride to teeth has been used in Europe for more than 25 years.

Painting Varnish

The varnish is painted on the teeth during a regular child health check-up visit at Halifax County Health Department. It is quick and easy to apply and does not have a bad taste. There is no pain, but your child may cry just because babies and children don't like having things put in their mouths especially by people they don't know! Your child's teeth will be yellow after the fluoride varnish is painted on, but the yellow color will come off when you brush your child's teeth tomorrow.

The fluoride coating will work best if it is painted on the teeth 3 to 4 times a year.

Importance of Baby Teeth

  • Baby Teeth are Important because they:
  • Let your child chew food
  • Aid in speech development
  • Guide the permanent teeth into place
  • Help with jaw and facial formation
  • Add to your baby's good health

Health Check

A statewide, Medicaid reimbursed service designed to improve access to preventive health services for children who are Medicaid eligible. Children who qualify for health check can receive free care from birth to age 21.

Immunizations

Immunizations required by the State of North Carolina are free and available Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary for immunizations only. For more information, please contact our office at 252-583-5021.