169980 A Model for Implementing Community-Based Dental Sealant and Fluoride Varnish Clinics

Monday, October 27, 2008

Peggy Yamagata, RDH, MEd , Maternal, Child, and Family Health Services, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, San Diego, CA
Kristin Haukom, MPH , Maternal, Child, and Family Health Services, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, San Diego, CA
Background: Community-based dental sealant and fluoride varnish clinics are effective ways to bring preventive dental health services to communities with no or low dental resources. Since 1996, the County of San Diego Dental Health Initiative/Share the Care program (STC) has collaborated with public and private community partners, coalitions, and task forces to hold community-based dental sealant and fluoride varnish clinics in San Diego County.

Objectives: To describe the STC model for implementing community-based dental sealant and fluoride varnish clinics in communities with no or low dental resources; to present lessons learned over the past twelve years; and to empower public health professionals with the knowledge necessary to implement similar clinics in underserved communities in other regions.

Methods: The STC model consists of the following seven elements: 1) Identify community needs; 2) Building upon county, medical and dental professional, and community-based partnerships; 3) leveraging resources; 4) recruiting professional, non-professional, and student volunteers; 5) recruiting patients; 6) establishing protocols for dental services; and 7) providing follow-up to access to care.

Results: STC's model for implementing community-based dental sealant and fluoride varnish clinics has resulted in more than three-quarters of a million dollars worth of preventive dental health services for children 0-18 living in the greater San Diego County area. Additionally, children with urgent dental needs were linked to treatment and families were referred to no or low cost dental resources.

Conclusion: A community-based dental sealant and fluoride varnish clinic model can be successfully implemented in varying and diverse regions.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the benefits of community-based dental sealant and fluoride varnish clinics 2. Identify partners who can help carry out a community-based dental sealant and fluoride varnish clinic 3. Understand the steps for implementing a successful community-based dental sealant and fluoride varnish clinic

Keywords: Oral Health, Sealant Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have no financial relationship with any commercial interest and do not have the opportunity to affect the content of CE about any products or services. Furthermore, I am a representative of the program and project this abstract describes.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Oral Health Poster Session IV
See more of: Oral Health