Health-Issues Health Issues and Needs An effective health system ensures that all partners (child welfare, judicial, pediatric, mental and dental health professionals, and families) work together to respond to, manage, and improve the health and well-being of those in foster care. Physical Health Children and teens have often received only fragmentary and sporadic health care prior to entering foster care. Oral Health Dental and oral health care remains some of the most difficult health services to access for children and teens in foster care. Mental and Behavioral Health Mental and behavioral health is the largest unmet health need for children and teens in foster care. Developmental Health Healthy child development is rooted in the experiences of infancy and early childhood —experiences that are mediated for the child through their parents and caregivers. Educational Health Educational health is not a term often used or heard. For children and teens in foster care, educational health is particularly critical. RELATED ITEMS Primary Care Tools Find the tools you need to provide care to children and teens in foster care. More > Resource Library A collection of resources for the health and well-being of children and teens in foster care. More > Advertising Disclaimer