Missouri Oral Health Preventive Services Program Ann Hoffman, RDH, BSDH Oral Health Program Consultant Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Oral Health Program Martha McReynolds, RN Public Health Nurse Lafayette County Health Department 1
What Is the Preventive Services Program? The Missouri Oral Health Preventive Services Program (PSP) is a communitybased, systems approach to populationbased prevention of oral disease. 2
Preventive Services Program Facilitated through: The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Primary Care and Rural Health Funded through: Health Resources Services Administration Title V Maternal Child Health Block Grant The Oral Health Program invests approximately $4.50 per child using these funds
Initiation of Preventive Services Program Show Me Your Smile Survey 2004 2005 Survey Results of 3 rd Graders 3,500 children s teeth in 2005 Image from: http://www.bing.com/images 4
Key Findings Dental caries is a significant problem Oral health varies across SES levels Oral health varies across racial groups A considerable share of children do not have access to oral health care Missouri s children have a low level of dental sealants 5
PSP Began in 2006 The intent of PSP is to provide: A program to improve oral health of this at-risk population An evaluation of oral health in the community s children Implement prevention strategies Provide oral-health-educational information Initiate referrals for dental services to those targeted with unmet dental needs Is available to children from birth to age 18 6
Program Methodology The four basic steps in the program include: 1. Screening/Surveillance: Complete an annual standardized oral health screening for a statewide database of the children in a community. This basic screening survey provides nationally recognized data. 2. Education: Provide oral health education, toothbrush, and toothpaste to all participating children. 3. Prevention: Two applications of a fluoride varnish treatment, the first at a screening event, the second a follow-up varnish application within a 3-to 6-month period. 4. Referral: Provide a structure for dental care for children with unmet dental need. 7
Positive PSP Data PSP Activity for the Past 9 Years Participating Children: Community Volunteers 2006 2007 school year 8,529 Over 1,180 licensed dental professionals have been calibrated to conduct oral screenings 2007 2008 school year 18,139 Approximately 5,000 volunteers trained to apply fluoride varnish 2008 2009 school year 35,308 Value of community volunteers average $3.75 per child 2009 2010 school year 54,187 2010 2011 school year 64, 657 2011 2012 school year 63,764 2012 2013 school year 72,088 2013 2014 school year 76,320 2014 2015 school year 80,000
Saving Smiles Lafayette County, MO What Is It? Saving Smiles is a preventive program to reduce the amount of tooth decay in the children of Lafayette County, MO. It is a Missouri oral health preventive services program, which is a community-based approach to prevention of oral disease. The Saving Smiles program in Lafayette County is organized by personnel at the Lafayette County Health Department with the support and assistance of county dentists, hygienists, school nurses, and many volunteers. Most supplies for the program are provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Saving Smiles Eight-Year Participation Statistics
Saving Smiles School Participation Statistics Schools Percentages Grandview 67% Immanuel Lutheran 75% St. Paul's Lutheran 83% Trinity Lutheran 64% Santa Fe Elementary 77% Wellington- Napoleon 58% Leslie Bell 93% Lexington Early Childhood 97% Concordia 49% Lexington Head Start 100% Higginsville Head Start 100% Total 73%
Saving Smiles Program Works Because: Schools are committed Excellent volunteers Familiar staff for children and parents Cooperative children Health department dedication
Saving Smiles VOLUNTEERS ARE NOT PAID NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE WORTHLESS, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE PRICELESS.
Saving Smiles Funding
Thank you Contact Information: Ann Hoffman, RDH ann.hoffman@health.mo.gov Martha McReynolds, RN mcreym@lpha.mopublic.org