Cavity Free at Three Service Delivery Model for Local Public Health Agencies

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) was one of ten local community agencies to receive the first Cavity Free at Three technical assistance grants in 2008. Thirty-five service providers were trained in delivering the infant oral health protocol developed by Cavity Free at Three, laying the foundation for its integration into JCPHs existing programs serving large numbers of target population clients.

This service delivery model provides the resources needed to link existing service providers with enrolled clients using available resources. Its success is founded in (1) removing client barriers to accessing care (2) delivering a proven clinical model for cavity prevention, and (3) achieving financial sustainability by linking and utilizing existing resources commonly held by any local public health agency. The new cost to JCPH in 2009 was $2,700.00 in supplies.

In its first year of implementation, over 1,400 target population families were delivered free caries prevention services, over 60% of those were uninsured at the time with no regular dental care. Ninety-five percent of participating families scored “high risk” in the dental caries risk assessment. Two unanticipated positive outcomes of this program included: providing another access point to healthcare as uninsured clients were referred to public insurance if they had not recently applied, and developing a local dental provider referral network dedicated to caries prevention, screening, and early treatment for our high risk children and their families.

Additional data from other Cavity Free at Three grant recipients at local public health agencies will be presented based on availability.