Head Start

What can be done to help families who lack dental insurance and cannot afford to pay for their child's oral health care?

Most children enrolled in Head Start programs are eligible for oral health services through their state Medicaid or State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). However, a few states have established a separate SCHIP, non-Medicaid program and are not obligated to provide oral health services in their benefits packages. In most states, dentists are not required to participate in Medicaid or SCHIP as providers. In addition, dentists may participate in Medicaid but may not provide care to Medicaid recipients on a regular basis. In these instances, Head Start programs may need to seek other sources of oral health care and a dental home for children.

Head Start programs have had some success in helping families with low incomes access oral health care via the following:

• Obtaining grants from foundations and corporations.

• Contacting service clubs and organizations (such as the Lions Club or faith-based organizations) to pay for or contribute toward a child's oral health care.

• Obtaining contributions from school systems, agencies, organizations, and other groups.

• Contacting the state's dental schools and dental hygiene schools to determine whether they serve children. If they do, ask if they provide care to children and how much they charge for services.

• Contacting the nearest publicly supported community health center or local health department that provides comprehensive oral health care for children on a sliding fee scale.

• Arranging for children to be seen on special "Dental Days." The American Dental Association supports a program called "Give Kids a Smile," and some state dental associations support a program called "Mission of Mercy," in which volunteer dentists provide free oral health care to children. Contact your state dental director and see if either program is planned for your community.

• Sponsoring a holiday project to raise money to provide oral health care for children. Contact the local news station to advertise the program, and invite the local newspaper to write a feature story. The project might become an annual event, with a theme like "A Gift That Lasts a Lifetime."

Performance Standards

1304.20(c)(5)

References

Crall, JJ. 2002. Children's oral health services: Organization and financing considerations. Ambulatory Pediatrics 2(2 Suppl):148-153.

Gehshan S, Hauck P, Scales J. 2001. Promising practices issue brief: Increasing dentists' participation in Medicaid and SCHIP. Denver, CO: Forum for State Health Policy Leadership, National Conference of State Legislatures.

Share |


	Home \| A - Z List: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z \| Library
	Library Publications MCHB-Funded Projects Grants Administration TOHSS Head Start Alert Newsletter FAQs Links Bright Futures Toolbox Electronic Lists & Newsletters Links About Us FAQs Contact	A⁺ a^- Head Start What can be done to help families who lack dental insurance and cannot afford to pay for their child's oral health care? Most children enrolled in Head Start programs are eligible for oral health services through their state Medicaid or State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). However, a few states have established a separate SCHIP, non-Medicaid program and are not obligated to provide oral health services in their benefits packages. In most states, dentists are not required to participate in Medicaid or SCHIP as providers. In addition, dentists may participate in Medicaid but may not provide care to Medicaid recipients on a regular basis. In these instances, Head Start programs may need to seek other sources of oral health care and a dental home for children. Head Start programs have had some success in helping families with low incomes access oral health care via the following: • Obtaining grants from foundations and corporations. • Contacting service clubs and organizations (such as the Lions Club or faith-based organizations) to pay for or contribute toward a child's oral health care. • Obtaining contributions from school systems, agencies, organizations, and other groups. • Contacting the state's dental schools and dental hygiene schools to determine whether they serve children. If they do, ask if they provide care to children and how much they charge for services. • Contacting the nearest publicly supported community health center or local health department that provides comprehensive oral health care for children on a sliding fee scale. • Arranging for children to be seen on special "Dental Days." The American Dental Association supports a program called "Give Kids a Smile," and some state dental associations support a program called "Mission of Mercy," in which volunteer dentists provide free oral health care to children. Contact your state dental director and see if either program is planned for your community. • Sponsoring a holiday project to raise money to provide oral health care for children. Contact the local news station to advertise the program, and invite the local newspaper to write a feature story. The project might become an annual event, with a theme like "A Gift That Lasts a Lifetime." Performance Standards 1304.20(c)(5) References Crall, JJ. 2002. Children's oral health services: Organization and financing considerations. Ambulatory Pediatrics 2(2 Suppl):148-153. Gehshan S, Hauck P, Scales J. 2001. Promising practices issue brief: Increasing dentists' participation in Medicaid and SCHIP. Denver, CO: Forum for State Health Policy Leadership, National Conference of State Legislatures. Share \|
	National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center • Georgetown University Questions or comments? Let us know! \| Accessibility • Disclaimer & Copyright