Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107402

Miguel Tabares, DDS, Corinna S. Culler, RDH, MPH, Michelle Henshaw, DMD, MPH, Kathy M. Lituri, RDH, MPH, and Jennifer Soncini, DDS, DMD. Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, 857-222-8436, mtabares@bu.edu

Background: A long standing dental screening and education program identified dental care as a serious unmet need in Chelsea, Massachusetts. 37% of students screened in grades PK-6 had untreated dental caries. Through a collaboration between the Boston University School of Dental Medicine and the Chelsea Public Schools, with a start up grant from Delta Dental Foundation, a school-based dental clinic was opened in April 2003. Program Description: All students enrolled in the public school system are eligible to receive care at the clinic regardless of their ability to pay. Services provided include preventive education, prophylaxis, x-rays, emergency treatment, restorations, and referral for services such as extractions, endodontics, or orthodontics. The clinic is open after school for 20 hours each week. It is staffed with a part time dental hygienist, dental assistant, and 3 bilingual dentists, including a pediatric specialist, as well as a full time clinic coordinator. Program Outcomes: During the first 20 months of operation, the clinic was open on 287 days with a total of 1325 visits. Treatment was provided for 271 individual students, ranging in age from 3 to 21 years, including 867 restorations and 277 cleanings. 29 students were referred to specialists for further care. Discussion: As the result of a unique and successful partnership, this school based clinic serves a population in great need of dental treatment, who were otherwise unable to obtain care. Supported by U54DE14264 & 1K23DE0045401

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner)in this session will be able to

• Recognize the types and amount of dental treatment that can be provided in a school-based setting.
• Discuss collaborative efforts required to create a school-based dental clinic.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.