Healthy Smiles Healthy Growth 2003-2004 – Basic Screening Survey to collect oral health and BMI status of 3rd grade children in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Public Health, divisions of Oral Health and Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, collaborated to conduct an open mouth survey utilizing the Association of State and Territorial Dental Director's “Basic Screening Survey”. Height and weight data were also collected. A probability proportional to size sampling of schools was performed with implicit stratification on region, urban/rural status, and free/reduced lunch eligibility. Twenty-six local agencies were trained to conduct the assessment. Partial support was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A total of 6,625 third grade children were screened in 101 sampled schools. Statewide, fifty five percent of the children have had caries experience. Thirty percent had untreated caries and four percent having urgent treatment needs. Twenty seven percent of the children had at least one molar sealed. Of those with sealants, 20 percent had cavitated lesions and of those without sealants 33 percent had cavitated lesions. Children of low socioeconomic status had higher disease rate and lower sealants rate. Twenty one percent of the kids were overweight and eighteen percent at-risk-of-overweight. This data provides valid & current state and regional estimates on oral health and BMI status and has been proven very beneficial to both the programs. Such collaborations prove to be efficient, valid and viable way for data collection with minimum resources. The training program developed along with the project provided participating communities to conduct similar future assessments with the potential for establishing an ongoing surveillance system.