Elaine T. Jurkowski, PhD¹, Sandra Nagel Beebe, RDH, PhD², and Charla J. Lautar, PhD². (1) School of Social Work, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Quigley 4, M/C 4329, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, (618) 453-2243, etjurkow@siu.edu, (2) Health Care Professions, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, ASA, MC 6615, Carbondale, IL 62901

Rural communities typically have limited access to oral health services due to a variety of factors including transportation, access to care and awareness of the importance and value of oral health. This study set out to identify various aspects of oral health status of children (18 years and under) within three specific clinics, a University based dental hygiene "teaching" clinic, a Medicaid Clinic, and a Federally Qualified Health Clinic. As a longitudinal study, data were collected from 1998 and 2002. Patterns of decayed, missing, filled (DMF) rates, sealants, and oral health status relative to payer, gender and race were examined to identify trends, similarities and differences. Multiple regression and t-test analyses suggest that there were differences in oral health status based upon payer source and clinic type. Longitudinal data were examined to determine if the oral health status of patients were improving. Implications of the findings will be important in the understanding of facilitators and barriers for reaching the Healthy People 2010 goals.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, participants will

• Recognize patterns of DMF rates in a population of rural children;
• Assess utilization of sealants in rural population of children in three public clinics;
• Identify educational and public health prevention strategies which can serve as facilitators to meet Healthy People 2010 goals.

Keywords: Oral Health, Rural Communities

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.

Handout (.ppt format, 984.5 kb)