Warren County Health Services
I-Smile

Is I-Smile in your area?

The I-Smile™ team is IN your county! We are in WIC clinics and other child and maternal health clinics providing oral screenings, fluoride treatments and preventive dental health services. We can answer your dental questions, help you find a dentist and/or dental insurance or arrange transportation. Look for the I-Smile™ team at the following WIC clinics:


Winterset: 4th Thursday
First United Methodist Church
309 E. Jefferson, Winterset


Dental List: Click Here to View

Carlisle: 2nd Monday
Missionary Baptist Church
615 Highway 5, Carlisle

Indianola: 1st and 3rd Mondays and Tuesdays, 4th Tuesday
First United Methodist Church
307 W. Ashland St., Indianola

Norwalk: 4th Monday
New Life Lutheran Church
4380 Wakonda Dr., Norwalk


Dental List: Click Here to View


What is


Dental hygienists and nurses help children & pregnant women have healthy teeth.

Our Team can teach you/your child:

  • Good brushing and flossing habits
  • Good foods to eat and ones to avoid
  • How to care for baby teeth
  • Fluoride use and decay prevention
  • When your child should have their first visit to the dentist
  • Where to find a dentist
  • How to get your child signed up for
  • Medicaid or hawk-i insurance
  • Answers to all your dental questions!
    • Healthy , For
    Healthy


  • If your child does not have a regular dentist, or
  • If your child does not have dental insurance and qualities for WIC or Child Health services, or
  • If your child has Medicaid insurance, then we can help your child.

    • What can my child receive as part of the I-Smile™ program?

  • Regular dental screenings
  • Fluoride treatments to help keep teeth strong
  • Instructions in tooth brushing, flossing and healthy diet
  • Referral and assistance with finding a dentist
    • for Pregnant Women


    If you are pregnant and receiving services from WIC or with a Maternal Health clinic, then you too can be a part of the I-Smile™ program!

    As a part of the I-Smile™ program you will:

  • Learn to care for your mouth and your baby’s mouth
  • Receive a dental screening and fluoride varnish (if needed)
  • Be referred to a dentist office or assisted with finding a dentist

    • What is I-Smile™?

    I-Smile™ is a group of dental hygienists and nurses that are able to provide oral screenings, education, anticipatory guidance, and preventive services. The I-Smile™ dental home initiative began helping Iowa children and their families in 2006. The primary goal of I-Smile™ has been on improving the dental support system for families with at-risk children who are currently excluded from the dental care system in an attempt to eliminate dental disease.

    What is an I-Smile™ Coordinator?

    An I-Smile™ Coordinator is a registered dental hygienist that serves as the prevention expert and liaison between the public health agency, families and dental offices to ensure completion of dental care. The I-Smile™ Coordinator’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:

    1. Providing dental screenings and fluoride varnish to children and pregnant women enrolled in WIC and Maternal Health programs
    2. Providing care coordination following screenings to ensure families are aware of their dental needs
    3. Developing partnerships within the communities in the service area to expand the referral network

    The I-Smile™ Coordinator is also able to provide education to the general public about the importance of oral health, give presentations about oral health education to parent groups, schools, businesses and faith-based organizations as well as train other health professionals, such as nurses and doctors, to provide dental screenings and fluoride varnish application.

    For more information, please visit the I-Smile™ Dental Home Website:


    Who qualifies for I-Smile™ services?
    Children ages 0-21 and pregnant women

    What services does I-Smile™ provide?
    The I-Smile™ Coordinator is able to work with your family to provide the following services:

    1. Locate a dentist for your family
    2. Dental Screenings
    3. Fluoride Varnish treatments
    4. Dental Sealants
    5. Oral Hygiene Instruction, Nutritional and Tobacco Cessation education
    6. Help find funding (insurance) and transportation sources
    7. Free dental supplies

    Who can I contact for more information about I-Smile™?
    Warren County Health Services: 515-961-1074

    WIC Clinic Schedule

    The I-Smile™ Coordinator will be at the WIC clinic the following days:

    Madison County: Click Here for Dental List

    Winterset WIC
    4th Thursday of every month 10am-7pm

    Warren County: Click Here for Dental List

    Carlisle WIC
    2nd Monday of odd numbered months 8:30am-4pm

    Indianola WIC
    1st and 3rd Mondays of every month 8:30-4:30
    1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month 8:30-6:00

    Norwalk WIC
    4th Monday of even numbered months 9am-6pm

    The I-Smile™ Coordinator is not present at all WIC clinics. Should the I-Smile Coordinator not be at a particular clinic, a nurse that has been trained by the I-Smile Coordinator will be available to do dental screenings and fluoride varnish applications. Should you prefer to see Sarah, please contact her at 515-961-1074 to make an appointment.

    Dental Exams

    Your child should have their first dental exam by their first birthday! Help your child by having a dental visit by the time they turn 1! Baby teeth are important and your child needs them to stay healthy to eat, sleep and talk!


    Fluoride

    The effects of fluoride in drinking water have long been studied. In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first city to add fluoride into its water system. Eleven years later, in 1956, decay rates among school-aged children dropped more than percent! To this day, fluoride continues to be dentistry’s main weapon in the battle against tooth decay. Nearly every toothpaste on the market contains fluoride as its active ingredient; water fluoridation benefits over 200 million Americans and about 13 million school-aged children participate in school-based dental fluoride programs.


    Benefits of Fluoride
    Fluoride FAQ

    Certificate of Dental Screening

    If your child is newly enrolling in kindergartner or 9th grade, they are required to turn in a Certificate of Dental Screening. This certificate is required for only these students and may be signed by a dentist, dental hygienist. If your child will be in kindergarten, the certificate may be signed by a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner or registered nurse. Exemptions are allowed on an individual basis for religious and financial hardship reasons. A Certificate of Dental Screening Exemption Form is available and must be completed as instructed.


    Certificate of Dental Screening FAQ

    For more information or help finding a dentist, please contact:

    301 North Buxton, Suite 203
    515-961-1074