A Dental Hygiene Evidence-Based Care Business Model in a Pediatric Practice

Objective: Oral evaluation and fluoride varnish application are preventive services which should be provided to patients at high risk for early childhood caries. The early and frequent contact that children typically have with physicians presents a unique opportunity to evaluate their oral condition and perform basic preventive services. Based on Medicaid's reimbursement of Fluoride Varnish application in a none dental settings an evidence-based care business model utilizing a registered dental hygienist to provide preventive oral Health care in a pediatric practice was established.

Methods: This pilot study was conducted at two private pediatrician's offices in Palm Beach County, Florida that serve a large volume of Medicaid Patients. The sample size consisted on 79 Medicaid children ages 0 to 3 years old. During physical exams, an informed consent was obtained from each child's guardian to precede with dental charting, fluoride varnish application, preventive oral health education, and a dental referral provided by a registered dental hygienist. Data was collected using the Epi-info software for statistical analysis.

Results: Data analyzed from the 79 participants, 100% of the children were screened, 97.5% received fluoride varnish application, and 100% received oral health education and counseling, and a dental referral. Regarding treatment urgency, 97.5% of the participants did not have obvious dental problems, 2.5% needed early dental care, and 0% needed urgent dental care.

Conclusions: Provision of oral health care in a pediatric practice by a registered dental hygienists is an example of how working together as a health professionals can improve children's oral health.