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

Abstract #109698

Michelle M. Henshaw, DDS, MPH¹, Corinna S. Culler, RDH, MPH¹, and Julie Farber, MSW². (1) Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, 617-638-5222, mhenshaw@bu.edu, (2) Policy and Planning, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 399 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

Objective: To describe the BUSDM/MSPCC partnership which was established to raise awareness of children's oral health issues and increase access to care among children served by MSPCC. Methods: Foster parents and low-income families supported by MSPCC reported having difficulty obtaining dental care for children in their care. In order to raise awareness of this access problem, the MSPCC, with input from key oral health stakeholders, including BUSDM faculty and CREEDD investigators, issued an oral health policy paper, Oral Health and the Commonwealth's Most Vulnerable Children: A State of Decay. BUSDM also worked with MSPCC to incorporate oral health questions into their annual foster parent survey. To increase MSPCC's capacity for providing oral health education and appropriate referrals for care, a BUSDM hygienist provided trainings for the MSPCC staff throughout the state. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss were distributed to families to support oral health education. Results: 43 program directors/supervisors/social workers received training in oral health topics during a 2 hour workshop. Topics included the link between oral health and overall health and well-being, the importance of the primary dentition, and how to talk to parents about oral health issues. The staff trained by BU and their supervisees serve almost 8,000 children statewide in various MSPCC programs. MSPCC staff have incorporated oral health information into parenting education and casework with families. Conclusions: Our unique collaboration has successfully provided education and practices needed to help ensure improved oral health for one of the state's most needy populations. Supported by U54DE14264 & 1K23DE0045401

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

• recognize the value of a successful collaboration between a dental school and a social service agency.
• describe a program that can lead to greater identification of oral health needs and referral for dental care by non-dental personnel working in community settings.

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.