New Hampshire is getting some help to fight tooth decay and improve fluoride use.

The state is one of three that have received a $230,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The funding is designed to improve basic state oral health services, including support for program leadership and additional staff; monitoring oral disease levels and risk factors; and educating residents on ways to prevent oral diseases.

“The health field has learned much more recently about the connection between oral health and overall health,” said Dr. José Montero, Director of Public Health at the state Health Department. “This grant will allow us to build infrastructure and capacity to assess the places in the state where the dental workforce is insufficient, to monitor and evaluate fluoridation efforts, and to develop a plan that addresses barriers to achieving good oral health for all New Hampshire residents.”

The grants are renewable for up to five years. The other two states to receive the grants are Hawaii and Idaho.

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