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

Abstract #109632

Corinna S. Culler, RDH, MPH, Miguel Tabares, DDS, and Michelle M. Henshaw, DDS, MPH. Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, 617-638-4918, cculler@bu.edu

Objective: To determine rates at which pre-schoolers obtain dental treatment following screening in two populations with differing income levels in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Children living in povery have been shown to be at greater risk for dental caries.

Methods: Dental screening was performed for children ages 2-5 during the '02-'03 and ‘03-‘04 school years at CAPIC Head Start, a population of children living at or below federal poverty level, and Chelsea Public Schools, including children from higher income families. Following screening, parents received report cards indicating child's level of treatment need. Head Start family advocates encourage clients to seek care and offer help with appointments & transportation. Data for students that received a screening during both years were examined to determine change in number of decayed teeth.

Results: 112 students were screened during both years, 65 in public school and 47 at Head Start. Overall, 66% of students had no decay at either screening. Of the students who needed treatment, 50% had fewer decayed teeth at second screening, indicating that some treatment was received and 50% of students had not obtained care. Students from Head Start were slightly less likely to have been treated.

Conclusion: Additional case management activities provided at Head Start Program can help to eliminate disparities in oral health treatment between the two populations. However, parents from both groups continue to face barriers to obtaining necessary care. Further research is required to identify these barriers and determine how they can be overcome. Supported by U54DE14264 & 1K23DE0045401

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

• describe a dental screening program for pre-school aged children.
• discuss problems encountered when attempting to refer preschoolers for dental treatment.

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.