244802 An evaluation of a School-Based Dental Health Clinic and review of literature

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Allison Krusky, MPH, RD , School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Melissa A. Valerio, PhD, MPH , Hbhe, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Amanda Roffe, MPH , School-Based & Community Health Program, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI
The Henry Ford Health System (HFHS), headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, serves the population of southeastern Michigan. In the past three years, they have offered a school-based dental program in 5 Detroit Public Schools. In addition to evaluation findings of the HFHS school-based dental program, we conducted a review of the literature to examine the impact of school-based dental clinics and school-based dental health education on behavior change and promotion of oral health. A systematic protocol for review of the literature will be presented. We identified elements of approaches for promotion of oral health and changes in oral hygiene behaviors. We also identified and reviewed the impact of international school-based dental programs on children's dental health outcomes. The analysis identified the most promising elements of domestic and international school-based dental health programs. Our search revealed a dearth of outcome evaluation data (ex. DFMS change scores) regarding the impact of school-based dental health clinics which provide preventive services. Many domestic articles focused on the total number of students served and process evaluation. However, there is a plethora of International articles focusing on school-based dental programs and school-based dental education. A majority of the international findings indicate significant improvement in dental health outcomes for those receiving either preventive services, education or both. Presentation will include the review of more effective specific strategies in school-based dental health education.

Learning Areas:
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
Describe the impacts and limitations of the evaluation research regarding school-based dental clinics.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am conducting the literature review and evaluation (under the guidance of Dr. Valerio) and am the primary researcher.
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.