6024.0: Thursday, November 16, 2000 - Table 3

Abstract #9041

Addressing the needs of underserved children: integration of dental services into medical well child examinations

Amos S. Deinard, MD, MPH1, Terrie Kreutzer Rose, PhD2, Joseph Grayden, DDS3, and John P. Conry, DDS3. (1) Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Box 85 Mayo, 420 Delaware St SE, Minnneapolis, MN 55455, (612)627-6888 x 212, deina001@tc.umn.edu, (2) Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0345, (612) 626-8625, trose@tc.umn.edu, (3) Community-University Health Care Center/Variety Children's Clinic, University of Minnesota, 2001 Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404-3089

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a model of integrated dental and medical services for a population of culturally diverse children receiving medical and dental care in a community health clinic. This oral health program is designed to meet the needs of underserved children at significant risk for dental decay. SETTING: The clinic, located in the neighborhood with the highest medical and social risk factors in Minneapolis, Minnesota, provides medical, dental and social services to 8,600 patients annually. INTERVENTION: Children, ages 12-60 months who attended medical well child examinations were evaluated for plaque, dental decay and presence of oral streptococcus mutans. A dentist joined the medical examination to conduct the assessment and to provide education to caregivers regarding oral health and nutrition. Caregivers were also provided with a dental health kit that included toothbrush and tipee cup. Children who were found to have oral pathology were immediately scheduled for dental care in the dental clinic. RESULTS: Over 70% of the children had never received any dental care. And of this number, one-third were found to have dental pathology at the time of the screening. Of the children who had received dental care, 75% nonetheless had decay present. Caregivers recorded high satisfaction (95%) with the combined medical/ dental screening. CONCULSIONS: This study documented the alarmingly high degree of oral pathology and un-accessed services for children less than age six. This study also provides a model of integrated health care that increases access for oral health evaluation and education for underserved young children.

Learning Objectives:

  1. During this session, faculty will address the prevalance of oral pathology in an ethnically diverse sample of children under the age of six.
  2. During the session, the faculty will present a model of integrated dental and medical care that can be replicated in pediatric health care settings.

Keywords: Oral Health, Child Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA