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Sam A. Merabi, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, 69 Marshall Street #2, Somerville, MA 02145, (617) 718 -0555, sam.merabi@hotmail.com
Project CORRECT is an ongoing student dentist initiative that promotes oral health in the residential units of Franciscan Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Brighton, Massachusetts. The approximately thirty children housed in the facility are referred primarily from the State’s Department of Social Service, and may suffer from emotional distress, have a history of behavioral problems, and receive daily behavior modification therapy as part of their rehabilitation. Residents may present with unique issues such as xerostomia and complaints of dry mouth due to an abundance of anti-psychotic, anti-cholinergic medication they may be prescribed. Unfortunately, it seems, oral health and hygiene are overlooked in lieu of the extraordinary amount of attention needed for redirecting episodes of acting out and oppositional behavior. Student volunteers from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine educate staff about oral health and promote oral health and hygiene education for residents via behavior modification techniques used in the treatment center. Surveys for staff, plaque scores and oral quizzes for children are used to monitor the effectiveness of the program. Results have shown that the program lowers resident plaque levels, increases resident oral health knowledge, increased staff oral health knowledge, and facilitated the promotion of the daily living rehabilitation of the residents.
Learning Objectives:
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.