Improving oral health and access to dental care for Somali children

Despite the overall decline in dental caries over the past 30 years, the prevalence of this disease remains high in certain segments of population including immigrant and refugee children. About 40,000 Somalis live in Columbus, Ohio, making the city home to the second largest group of Somalis in the United States. The purpose of this project was to improve oral health of Somali children in Central Ohio through education, community outreach and provision of needed dental services. Funding for this project was obtained through a private foundation and charitable contributions. Collaborative partnerships were formed with Nationwide Children's Hospital, Somali Women and Children's Alliance, Columbus Literacy Council, and Ohio State University Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program. The project targeted Somali children enrolled in a community after school program and incorporated an oral health curriculum in their lesson plans including oral hygiene instructions, diet education, distribution of fluoride toothpaste and toothbrushes, dental screenings, and fluoride varnish application. Children identified with dental needs were connected to a pediatric dental home through a case-manager and received comprehensive dental care. This presentation will discuss program components, outcomes, and implications for oral health interventions for immigrant population.