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

Abstract #108591

James C. Cecil, DMD, MPH¹, Gerald A. Ferretti, DDS, MS, MPH², and Lorie Wayne Chesnut, BA¹. (1) Dental Public Health, Dept for Public Health, Oral Health Program, 275 East Main St, HS2W-B, Frankfort, KY 40621-0001, 502 564-3246, james.cecil@ky.gov, (2) Dental Public Health, University of Kentucky, 333 Waller Ave., Lexington, KY 40504

Background: Kentucky's children, particularly those at high risk due to socioeconomic, family, isolation, and other special conditions, suffer early childhood caries (ECC)at rates significantly higher than the United States. 47% of Kentucky 2-4 year olds in the 2001 statewide survey of oral health had ECC; twice the national rate. Methods: With funding provided through the Kentucky Early Childhood Development Initiative, the Kentucky Department for Public Health partnered with University of Kentucky College of Dentistry to launch KIDS SMILE Screening and Fluoride Varnish Program. The scope of public health nursing practice was changed to allow for inclusion of screening and fluoride varnish application. A data collection tool was developed for inclusion in the permanent health record, including dental history, total number of teeth, white spots and tooth decay, caregiver education, and referral. Training for public health nurses was developed and implemented in July 2003 in approximately 70 of Kentucky's 120 counties. Data collection is on-going through an existing local health department reimbursement system to provide baseline information on each child receiving services and in preparation for a formal evaluation component. Results: During 2003-04, over 20,000 Kentucky Children received screening and fluoride varnish applications, including repeat applications, applied by local health department nurses throughout the state. Nearly 1,000 public health nurses have been trained to screen for children's oral disease. Conclusions: With non-traditional partnerships, preventive programs to improve children's oral health can be implemented to reduce the poor oral health outcomes observed in at-risk children and children with special health care needs.

Learning Objectives:

• To broaden the scope of oral public health beyond the typical partnerships of dental health providers,to improve oral health status of children 0 to 5 years of age.

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.

Recorded presentation