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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Corinna S. Culler, RDH, MPH, Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research, Boston University, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118-2526, 617-638-4918, cculler@bu.edu, Michelle Henshaw, DMD, MPH, Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118-2526, Kathy M. Lituri, RDH, BS, Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research, Boston University School of Dental Medcine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118-2526, and Joanne Stone-Libon, CAPIC Head Start, 583 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150.
Dental decay is the single most common chronic disease of childhood1. Children enrolled in Head Start Programs are at increased risk for decay1. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the oral health status of children enrolled in a Head Start Program that encompasses 7 sites within 3 cities north of Boston. One examiner collected data on 213 children using a modified Basic Screening Survey (BSS). Variables for student’s name, school, teacher, plaque, and treatment referral code were added to the BSS in order to meet program needs. 83% of students were White, 11% Black, and 6% Asian. 57% were Hispanic. 93% had either mild or no plaque. 36% of students had ever had decay (treated or not), while 25% currently had untreated decay. Evidence of early childhood caries was found in 18% of students. Of those with untreated decay, 69 % required routine restorative care, and 31% required immediate care due to pain or infection. There was no difference in plaque or decay results by sex, age, city, or Hispanic ethnicity. However, Asian students were found to have significantly higher percentages of early childhood caries-58% vs. 16% of White and 17% of Black students (p=.0032). The BSS is an efficient, practical tool for collection of oral health data on Head Start Children. Utilizing BSS will enable comparison between other populations of similar aged children. Further modifications to the BSS form are planned for next year.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.