The May issue of the Journal features national articles detailing some of the efforts of Oral Health America. Also featured are articles detailing California efforts to increase access to care.

A Year of Special Opportunity
An Introduction to the Issue
By Teran J. Gall, DDS, and
Stephen B. Corbin, DDS, MPH

Oral Health Status of Special Athletes in the San Francisco Bay Area
A survey of special athletes shows more untreated decay and substantially more missing teeth than other children.
By Judy A. White, RDH, MPH;
Eugenio D. Beltran, DMD, MPH, MS, DrPH;
Dolores M. Malvitz, DrPH; and
Steven P. Perlman, DDS, MScD

A Clean Bill of Health for All Our Country's Citizens
A call to action.
By Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Prevalence of Spit Tobacco Use Across Studies of Professional Baseball Players
The use of spit tobacco among baseball players continues to be alarmingly high.
By John C. Greene, DMD, MPH;
Margaret M. Walsh, MS, EdD; and
Mark A. Letendre, ATC

A Dental-Based, Athletic Trainer-Mediated Spit Tobacco Cessation Program for Professional Baseball Players
A cessation program involving dental professionals proved to well-received by two baseball clubs during 1997 spring training.
By Margaret M. Walsh, EdD;
John C. Greene, DMD, MPH;
James A. Ellison, DDS, MPH;
Mark A. Letendre, ATC; and
Ned Bergert, ATC

Dentistry's Role in Ending Spit Tobacco Use
A call to action.
By Joe Garagiola

A Contemporary Perspective on Dental Sealants
Changes in the prevalence and distribution of caries, the effectiveness of sealants, and guidelines for use are reviewed.
By Jayanth V. Kumar, DDS, MPH, and
Mark D. Siegel, DDS, MPH

Seal America -- An Olympic Challenge Awaits You
A call to action.
By Matt Ghaffari

Addressing the Needs of Underserved Populations: One Organization's Experience
The great need for children's dental care in California and the history of a San Diego organization's efforts to meet those needs are reviewed.
By Patricia Billings, DDS, and
Dennis McKee, DDS

Dientes! Community Dental Clinic: Dental Care for Low-Income Residents of Santa Cruz County
The challenges of providing care for low-income residents and maintaining funding for a clinic are discussed.
By Jay Balzer, DMD, MPH, and
Catherine Webb, DDS

Dental Care for the Underserved Children of Monterey County: Meeting the Challenge
Monterey County's expansive area and significant population of agricultural workers led to the development of a mobile dental health clinic.
By Ray E. Stewart, DDS, MS

The Children's Dental Center -- A Community Resource to Meet a Community Need
The story of a nonprofit center in Inglewood that emphasizes multidisciplinary care and aggressive preventive practices is related.
By Cherilyn G. Sheets, DDS, and
Warren B. Riley, MBA

San Gabriel Valley Foundation for Dental Health: A Hand Up Not a Handout
A newly established clinic teaches prevention, treats disease, and instills responsibility.
By Richard M. Cohrs

Improving Oral Health for People With Special Needs Through Community-Based Dental Care Delivery
A program for helping special-needs patients in rural areas is discussed.
By Paul Glassman, DDS, MA, and
Christine Ernst Miller, RDH, MHS, MA

The Editor /
Become Informed!
By Jack F. Conley, DDS

Dr. Bob /
The Dental Auxiliary's Job Manual
By Robert E. Horseman, DDS

Impressions /
Does Laser "Revolution" Have Scientific Support?