The Oral Health Alert: Focus on Head Start is a monthly
newsletter that provides timely information about national campaigns
and initiatives, materials, and journal articles. Past issues are available at http://www.mchoralhealth.org/alert/archives.html
January 2009
Special Notices:
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has announced the selection
of 12 states to enter the network development phase of the Head Start
Dental Home Initiative in 2009: Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, New York,
Hawaii, Oklahoma, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Rhode Island,
Vermont, and West Virginia. State launches will take place in the
spring. More information is available at http://www.aapd.org/headstart
February is National Children's Dental Health Month, a time to raise
awareness about the importance of oral health for children and their
families. Selected resources are provided below. Additional resources
are featured on the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource
Center home page at http://www.mchoralhealth.org
In recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month, the Office
of Head Start (OHS) is conducting a Webcast to inform the Head Start
community about the importance of oral health to children’s overall
development. The Webcast will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2009,
from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., EST. More information will be available from the OHS
Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center at http://www.eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc
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1. 2009 National Children's Dental Health Month Campaign
These resources are designed to help oral health professionals,
teachers, and parents promote oral health. Contents include a poster
(in English and Spanish), a program-planning kit, presentation
materials, ideas for the classroom, and coloring and activity sheets
that can be used as handouts. Booklets, videotapes, and other materials
are also available for purchase.
American Dental Association. 2009. Chicago, IL: American Dental
Association. Available at http://www.ada.org/prof/events/featured/ncdhm.asp
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2. Children's Dental Health Month Bulletin Board
These materials are designed for use in creating a bulletin board to
teach parents and other caregivers about oral health care for children.
Contents include interactive questions and answers, a summary of key
points, and a list of Web sites.
Henriques V, Walker JI, Gaston J, Leo C. 2009. Baltimore, MD: Maryland
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Oral Health. 15 pp.
Available at no charge from the Web site at http://www.fha.state.md.us/pdf/oralhealth/pm_Bulletin_Board_Materials.pdf
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3. Oral Health for Infants, Children,
Adolescents, and Pregnant Women: Knowledge Path
This knowledge path is a guide to recent resources that analyze data,
describe programs, and report on policy and research aimed at improving
access to and the quality of oral health care. Contents include Web
sites and resources from national and state organizations, distance
education resources, databases, and newsletters and online discussion
lists. Separate sections identify resources for professionals,
resources for consumers, and resources on specific aspects of oral
health. Selected topics include child care and Head Start, dental
sealants, early childhood caries, fluoride varnish, K-12 education,
pregnancy, and school-based care. [Funded by the Maternal and Child
Health Bureau]
Lorenzo SB, Holt K. 2009. Washington, DC: National Maternal and Child
Oral Health Resource. Available at no charge from the Web site at http://www.mchoralhealth.org/knwpathoralhealth.html
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4. Oral Health of Early Head Start Children: A
Qualitative Study of Staff, Parents, and Pregnant Women
This study reports the findings of focus groups conducted to gather
information about the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and activities
of Early Head Start (EHS) staff, parents, and pregnant women in North
Carolina. Six major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) the
importance of oral health for young children and pregnant women, (2)
the consequences of tooth decay for children and families, (3)
communication between parents and EHS staff about oral health, (4) oral
health practices at home, (5) provision of oral health professional
services for children, and (6) recommended educational activites for
EHS programs.
Mofidi M, Zeldin LP, Rozier RG. 2009. American Journal of Public Health
99(2):245–251. Available at http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/AJPH.2008.133827v1
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5. Pediatric
Dentistry Reference Manual
This reference manual, produced annually as a supplement to the Journal
of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, promotes practice,
education, and research related to the specialty of pediatric
dentistry. The manual includes reaffirmed, revised, and new oral health
policies; clinical guidelines; endorsements; and other
practice-relevant resources.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. 2008-2009. Pediatric Dentistry
30(6 Suppl.):1-288. Content available at http://www.aapd.org/media/policies.asp
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