An Electronic Compendium of Resources for Building Oral
Health Coalitions
This compendium is intended to serve professionals in
building community-based coalitions dedicated to improving
oral health. The compendium is organized into three categories:
(1) the role of community-based coalitions in health promotion,
(2) how to build a successful coalition, and (3) case
studies of successful coalitions. Topics include assessing
needs and resources, best practice guidelines, establishing
collaborations, communications and conflict, management
and leadership, media outreach, planning and implementation,
and policy development and research. The citations in
the compendium link to free publications crossing the
fields of communication, management practice, oral health,
prevention, psychology, public health education, and public
policy.
DentaQuest Foundation. 2010. Westborough, MA: DentaQuest.
50 pp. The compendium is available online.
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Oral Health Plan for Massachusetts 2010-2015
This report focuses on actions that schools, communities,
health professionals, insurers, and state government can
take to improve oral health in Massachusetts, especially
for the most vulnerable populations. The plan recommends
goals, objectives, and action steps in four areas: assessment
and surveillance; policy, advocacy, and public awareness;
prevention and access; and work force. The plan includes
information on data collected by Head Start agencies and
the prevalence of tooth decay in children enrolled in
Head Start.
Better Oral Health for Massachusetts Coalition. 2010.
Boston, MA: Better Oral Health for Massachusetts Coalition.
21 pp. This report is available online.
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Strategies For Sustaining and Enhancing Prevention of
Childhood Tooth Decay During Challenging Times
This issue of TrendNotes outlines strategies for sustaining
and enhancing prevention of childhood tooth decay during
challenging times. Topics include state budget cuts and
the advancement of childhood tooth decay prevention, key
facts about childhood tooth decay, core elements of a
comprehensive system of care, the risk-based approach
to preventing childhood tooth decay, and examples of program
and policy opportunities in other child and family systems,
including Head Start.
VanLandeghem K, Edelstein B. 2010. Washington, DC: National
Oral Health Policy Center. 13 pp. This issue of TrendNotes
is available online.
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Access to and Utilization of Oral Health Care by Homeless
Children/Families
This journal article presents findings on the oral health
status of children from families who are homeless and
who received a shelter-based clinic oral health intervention.
Oral health problems, which were identified by a pediatric
nurse practitioner in the shelter setting, were found
to be prevalent among these children. Mothers perceived
more barriers to oral health care if they had more mental
health concerns, had less knowledge of oral health, or
had been victimized. Mothers who were older, had more
children, and were of a minority race were more likely
to have children with poor oral health. Giving mothers
a list of dentists and a free phone decreased perceived
barriers to care and facilitated access to care.
DiMarco MA, Ludington SM, Menke EM. 2010. Journal of
Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 21(2, Suppl.):67-81.
The abstract is available online.
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The Importance of Tooth Decay Prevention in Children Under
Three
This journal article focuses on the role of public health
interventions and early childhood professionals in improving
oral health in young children. Topics include optimal exposure
to fluoride, disparities in oral health and oral health
care, and tooth decay prevention. Additional topics include
using xylitol as a sugar substitute every day or in baking,
choosing toothpaste for children, and applying fluoride
varnish and other preventive therapies. The authors also
discuss the importance of educating parents and caregivers
about the oral health issues facing children with special
health care needs and encouraging the establishment of a
dental home.
Milgrom P, Huebner C, Chi D. 2010. Zero to Three 30(5):19-23.
The abstract is available online.
Editorial note: Some of the work described in this article
was supported by the Head Start Innovation and Improvement
Project Grant.
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Oral Hygiene Practices and Dental Service Utilization
Among Pregnant Women
This journal article presents findings from a study of
oral hygiene practices and oral health service use during
pregnancy to provide a basis for developing policies to
reduce disparities in oral health among women who are racial
and ethnic minorities. Participant characteristics associated
with a lack of routine oral health care use during pregnancy
included the following: age 36 or older, Hispanic ethnicity,
annual income less than $60,000, and infrequent flossing.
Boggess KA, Urlaub DM, Massey KE, Moos M-K, Matheson MB,
Lorenz C. 2010. Journal of the American Dental Association
141(5):553-561. The abstract is available online.
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