This investigation utilized mail questionnaires to determine public school teachers' perceived adequacy to teach six dental health topics and responsbility for dental health in the classroom. The majority of public school teachers surveyed in Iowa City and surrounding communities felt adequate to teach dental health topics with two major exceptions: increasing proficiency in brushing and flossing, and understanding the processes and reasons for periodontal disease. More importantly, this study indicates that many teachers do not consider dental health activities to be responsibilities of the public school teacher.