Under the direction of the Office of Head Start (OHS), the Head
Start Resource Center (HSRC) offered funds to support state Dental
Home Initiatives (DHI) The goal of this initiative is to ensure
Head Start (HS)/Early Head Start (EHS) children have access to and
receive comprehensive services in a dental home.
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Head Start State Collaboration Office The Florida Dental
Hygiene Association The University Of Florida College Of Dentistry
The Florida Head Start Association The Florida Public Health
Institute.
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Three Objectives 1. Increase the number of Head Start/Early
Head Start (EHS) children with an established dental home 2.
Increase the number of pediatric dentists, general dentists and
authorized medical providers who serve infants, toddlers, and
children through age 5 3. Enhance staff knowledge of sound oral
health and nutrition practices
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Provide training through partnership with the University of
Florida, for the Prevention and Limited Treatment of Early
Childhood Caries for general dentists and staff in Orange County.
Provide on site training through partnership collaboration with
Gator Kids Healthy Smiles Program from the University of Florida to
medical personnel that provide HS/EHS medical examinations.
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The premise of this 3 hour course is that the multifactorial
nature of ECC requires an early and comprehensive approach. This
course will prepare the general dentist and office/clinical staff
to provide appropriate diagnostic, preventive and limited
restorative procedures to very young children. Since behavior plays
such a major role in oral health, and since children are so
dependent on the actions of their parents, the course includes a
thorough discussion of behavioral, motivational and compliance
techniques.
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May 11, 2012 28 dental professionals registered AHCA presented
to the dentists regarding Medicaid enrollment and related
procedures DentaQuest- funded breakfast for course and provided
educational packets for all children at the Lila Mitchell Center
Coordinator has developed commitment agreements for dental
providers Follow up with all participants to track increased
care
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13 Dental hygienists across the state trained to provide
in-office education to physicians and staff about ECC prevention
including examination, risk assessment, fluoride varnish
application, anticipatory guidance (tooth brushing, etc) and
referral to a dental home Program coordinator contacted local MDs
who were active in providing medical care to Head Start enrolled
children and GKHS provided training if requested
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Dental exams were increased Of the 44 children identified
needing care 41.9 % have started treatment A community dental
resource guide was developed 3 new dental providers were
identified
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Partnership with a dentist at the local FQHC increased exams of
children that did not have a dental home or transportation issues
and he will continue to offer exams and services 300 HS/EHS staff
have an increased understanding of sound oral health and nutrition
BSS screening were provided and data collected
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28 dental providers surrounding the Lila Mitchell Center
received training on the prevention and limited treatment of Early
Childhood Caries 81 children received preventive fluoride varnish
and oral hygiene education, donated by Premier Dental Products All
children received toothbrush, toothpaste, tooth brushing timer and
oral hygiene educational material donated by DentaQuest
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The pilot center, OCHSC and the parents/caregivers have a
stronger focus on early prevention. The coordinator provided the
ability to develop solutions to increase oral health exams and
services This programs application and program outcomes have been
highlighted as a national model Orange County HS program proposed
hiring a dental hygienist as the county coordinator but funding did
not permit. At this time they are working on re-classifying a
position to hire an oral health care administrator