Recorded presentation

Dawn McGlasson, RDH, BSDH, Bureau for Children, Youth, and Families, Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment, 1000 SW Jackson Suite 220, Topeka, KS 66612-1274, 785-296-1314, dmcglass@kdhe.state.ks.us

As the Oral Health consultant, I am working with Early Head Start staff in a systematic approach to prevent oral disease in infants and toddlers enrolled in Early Head Start (EHS). This initiative has the potential to reach more than 1,200 children in 34 Kansas counties. The goal of the project is to keep children cavity-free through prevention and education services for parents, staff and community members. It is important to get members to recognize that oral disease is preventable and treatable, and that early intervention works.

The system includes periodic screening for signs of dental decay, fluoride varnish applications, and age-appropriate oral health hygiene practices and materials. Families receive thorough education, training, and motivation to conduct regular visual screenings of their childrens teeth, to serve teeth healthy nutritional foods, and to practice oral health hygiene for their children and themselves. Each Early Head Start program is coordinating oral health services with community health providers: dentists and dental hygienists, pediatricians and nurses, plus health departments and WIC Clinics.

Learning Objectives: Objectives

• To learn of methods for providing children the ability to be cavity-free through prevention and education;
• To utilize various segments of society in recognizing and preventing oral disease in young children.

Keywords: Head Start, Oral Health

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.

Recorded presentation