13-07-2012, 01:51 PM
Children’s Dental Sealant
Dental Sealant.pdf (Size: 115.21 KB / Downloads: 34)
PURPOSE OF PROJECT:
While significant improvements in the nation’s oral health
have occurred in recent years, these gains have not been experienced equally by all
Americans. Advances in dental science and technology over the past twenty years have
made it possible for many children in California to be protected from tooth decay,
however, oral diseases continue to be the most prevalent and also the most untreated
diseases of children in the State. Findings from the California Oral Health Needs
Assessment of Children, 1993-94, and a dental care needs assessment conducted by San
Ysidro Health Center in 2000, indicate that the oral health of California’s children is
decidedly worse than the national average.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
The goal of SYHC’s Children’s Dental Sealant Program
(CDSP) is to strive to meet the national goals of the U.S. Public Health Service
initiative, Healthy People 2000, in reducing the rate of dental caries of children in
targeted elementary schools, and at SYHC WIC sites.
Objective 1: Target 950 to 1,200 children age 6-8 at four elementary schools.
Objective 2: Provide dental examinations to 760-960 children at target schools.
Objective 3: Apply dental sealants to the caries free chewing surfaces of molar teeth of
50 percent or more of participating children.
Objective 4: During follow-up examinations, 90 percent of dental sealants will be
retained after six months.
Objective 5: All children diagnosed with oral health disease will be referred to an
appropriate level of dental care. Children who do not have dental insurance will be
referred to eligibility benefit programs (CHIP/Medi-Cal), or to SYHC’s PHS-funded
dental clinic for sliding-fee services.
Objective 6: Initiate an early childhood caries (ECC) prevention program at SYHC WIC
sites by June 1, 2000.
METHODOLOGY:
San Ysidro Health Center collaborated with the San Diego
County “Smiles” Dental Program at five elementary schools to provide children in
grades 2-4 with a full continuum of preventive dental care services. SYHC purchased
portable dental equipment and utilized existing dental employees to staff the project.
SYHC operated the school–based project between January and June each year to
facilitate the School District’s scheduling needs. The Smiles program provided oral
health education, weekly-supervised fluoride mouthrinsing, and daily dry brushing.
SYHC provided oral health examinations, the application of dental sealants, referral for
follow-up care, and retention checks. All services were provided free of charge. After
dental examinations were conducted, SYHC provided parents with an oral health
“status” report that clearly documented the findings of the examination and
recommendations for follow-up care using a format that was easy to read and
understand. Children who did not have dental insurance were assisted within the limits
and scope of the project to apply for eligibility benefits such as Medi-Cal and Healthy
Families – the California SCHIP program, or were referred to SYHC’s PHS-funded
dental clinic. Children diagnosed with tooth decay, or other oral disease, were referred to
an appropriate level (general or specialty) of dental care. A sample of children
participating in the program received a one-year, and in some cases, a two-year sealant
retention check to assess the quality of sealants. Lost sealants were replaced.
Through supplemental funding obtained from the California Endowment, SYHC
developed and implemented an early childhood caries (ECC) prevention program at its
main WIC site, where services include oral health education, oral health screenings for
children ages 0 – 5 years, application of fluoride varnish and referral to SYHC for
follow-up dental care. This project will be expanded to SYHC two other WIC facilities
as funding permits.
EVALUATION:
SYHC focused its evaluation effort on analyzing program
infrastructure and partnerships, determining the quality of clinical services, and
analyzing system linkages. SYHC feels that the project was successful and achieved
desired outcomes in each area.