Wisconsin Special Smiles Program
The Maternal and Child Health Bureau has defined children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) as those “who have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.”

According to the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs, 15.3 percent of children in Wisconsin have special health care needs. That translates to approximately 197,791 Wisconsin children under age 18. The Survey also identified dental health care as the largest unmet need for Oral Health For Families.

Our mission
The Wisconsin Special Smiles Program goal is to build a statewide system to promote oral health as part of overall health and organize community resources to increase access to dental care for children and youth with special health care needs.

Regional Oral Health Coordinators (ROHC) who are registered dental hygienists lead these efforts in each of the state’s five public health regions. Additionally, pediatric dentists with extensive experience working with CYSHCN provide education and training for oral health professionals throughout Wisconsin.

Program services

• Training for dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants.
• Oral health education and training for children, parents, caregivers and teachers.
• Oral health education for medical personnel including physicians and nurses.
• Fluoride varnish and sealant programs.
• Targeted interactive case management to link families with services.

To request oral health education or training, please contact us.

Information for families
The Wisconsin Special Smiles Program has developed a web page to assist families with the identification of oral health materials and resources they can use to promote oral health in their children with special health care needs.

View the oral health page for families.