National Maternal and
Child Oral Health Resource
Center
This and past issues of the Oral Health Alert: Focus on Head Start are available at http://www.mchoralhealth.org/alert/archives.html.
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Special Notice: The Office of Head Start (OHS) has awarded a 5-year,
$10 million contract to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
(AAPD) to establish dental homes for children enrolled in Head Start
programs. A dental home signifies that oral health care is delivered by
dentists to children through an ongoing relationship that is
comprehensive, continuously accessible, coordinated, and
family-centered. AAPD is developing a national network of pediatric
dentists and general dentists to partner with local Head Start
programs. Teams of dentists and Head Start personnel will be trained in
optimal oral health care practices and ways to develop partnerships
within their communities. AAPD will provide education and training to
dentists and their staffs to help overcome challenges that many Head
Start families face in trying to access oral health care for their
children. Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children: The Foundation of the
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry will also support the
initiative through sponsorship from Johnson and Johnson Healthcare
products, as a part of the company's commitment to providing oral care
solutions for children. More information about the Head Start Dental
Home Initiative is available at http://www.aapd.org/headstart.
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1. Dental Hygienists and Head Start: What You Should Know
and How You Can Help
This tip sheet provides information about how dental hygienists can
help address the oral health needs of pregnant women, infants, and
children enrolled in Head Start. Topics include an overview of the Head
Start program, information on children's access to services and oral
health status, and promising approaches to providing care for Head
Start participants. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]
Contact: HRSA Information Center, P.O. Box 2910, Merrifield, VA 22116.
Telephone: (888) ASK-HRSA (275-4772); (877) 489-4772; fax: (703)
821-2098; e-mail: ask@hrsa.gov; Web
site: http://www.ask.hrsa.gov.
Available at no charge. Document code: HRSA Info. Ctr. MCH00247. Also
available at no charge from the Web site at http://www.mchoralhealth.org/PDFs/HSRDH.pdf.
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2. Snapshot: Haves and Have-Nots: A Look at Children's
Use of Dental Care in California
This report examines data from the 2005 California Health Interview
Survey, specifically addressing racial and ethnic differences and other
factors that contribute to disparities in oral health care for children
(from birth to age 11) in California, including infants with at least
one tooth. Topics include tooth decay in children by age and race and
ethnicity, cavities in children in kindergarten and third grade, time
since last dental visit, and major contributing factors to disparities
in occurrence of dental visits. Statistical data is presented in graphs
and charts throughout the report. Recommendations for eliminating oral
health disparities and information about the methodology are included.
Contact: California HealthCare Foundation, 1438 Webster Street, Suite
400, Oakland, CA 94612. Telephone: (510) 238-1040; fax: (510) 238-1388;
Web site: http://www.chcf.org.
Available at no charge from the Web site at http://www.chcf.org/topics/download.cfm?pg=insurance&fn=DentalDisparitiesSnapshot07%2Epdf&pid=509607&itemid=133575.
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3. Influence of Multiple Social Risks on Children's Health
This study examined the influence of multiple social risk factors on
children's health across four health outcomes: global health, oral
health, socioemotional health, and weight. The authors found that low
maternal mental health, black race or Hispanic ethnicity, family income
less than 200% of the federal poverty level, low education achievement
by household members, unsafe neighborhoods, lack of health insurance,
and family conflict increased the odds for less than very good oral
health. When risks were combined into a social risk index, controlling
for child age, gender, and number of children in the household, there
was a 17-fold increase in the odds for less than very good health and
an almost 11-fold increase in the odds for less than very good oral
health for children with six or more vs. zero social risks. The authors
conclude that the cumulative impact of multiple risks is much greater
than the effect of any one risk acting alone. Programs and policies
that address multiple domains of social risk offer the best hope for
achieving improvements in child health.
Larson K, Russ SA, Crall, JJ, Halfon N. 2008. Pediatrics
121(2):337-344. Abstract available at http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/121/2/337.
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4. Mothers'/Guardians' Knowledge About Promoting
Children's Oral Health
This study explored what mothers and guardians know about how to
prevent oral disease in their children. The study's goal was to
determine what information mothers and guardians need. The study also
explored the question of whether any background factors (such as
mothers' or guardians' ages, number of children, education, and income)
or oral health-related factors (such as anxiety levels and prior
experiences) affect mothers' or guardians' knowledge about promoting
their children's oral health. The authors conclude that special efforts
should be made to educate younger mothers and guardians, as well as
first-time mothers and mothers with less than three children, about
promoting their children's oral health. Mothers with lower incomes need
to be informed about the importance of using preventive oral health
care services for their children and how they can gain access to care
for their children.
Akpabio A, Klausner CP, Inglehart MR. 2008. Journal of Dental Hygiene
81(4):1-11. Abstract available at http://adha.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/adha/jdh/2008/00000082/00000001/art00012.
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5. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Medical and Dental
Health, Access to Care, and Use of Services in US Children
This study analyzed racial and ethnic disparities in medical and oral
health, access to care, and use of services in children (from birth
through age 17) using a large, nationally representative database that
provided the opportunity to examine child health disparities for all
five of the major U.S. racial and ethnic groups. In addition,
disparities were examined for multiracial children. The authors found
that children from racial and ethnic minority groups in the United
States experience multiple disparities in medical and oral health,
access to care, and use of services. The following oral-health-related
problems were particularly marked among specific racial and ethnic
groups: poor teeth condition among Latinos and unmet oral health care
needs among Native Americans. Multiracial children had the highest risk
for unmet oral health care needs.
Flores G, Tomany-Korman SC. 2008. Pediatrics 121(2):e286-e298. Abstract
available at http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2007-1243v1.
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6. Relationship of Naturally Occurring Fluoride in
Carroll County, Maryland to Aquifers, Well Depths, and Fluoride
Supplementation Prescribing Behaviors
This study determined the levels of naturally occurring fluoride in
Carroll County, Maryland, and related the findings to the reported
depths of the wells and to the aquifer from which the water was
derived. Additionally, through a survey of the households from which
the water was obtained, an analysis of the number of children who were
receiving optimal amounts of fluoride, either through naturally
occurring fluoride or through fluoride supplements, was calculated. As
well depth increased, so did the amount of naturally occurring
fluoride. There was no significant difference in the naturally
occurring fluoride levels of the three aquifers. Of the children
included in this study who were within the recommended
fluoride-supplement age range (ages 6 months to 16 years), based on the
age of the child and supplement dosage reported in the survey, 42%
received a correct supplement dosage, while 58% received an incorrect
dosage.
Osso D, Tinanoff N, Romberg E, Syme S, Roberts M. 2008. Journal of
Dental Hygiene 81(4):1-10. Abstract available at http://adha.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/adha/jdh/2008/00000082/00000001/art00010.