About half of all American children do not receive regular dental care. They are impacted by social, economic, and geographic obstacles. So, bringing dental care to people in the community can be crucial. Whether it is offering your services or expertise, you can help create good oral hygiene and foster relationships with local children and families.
Many states have school-based or school-linked oral healthcare programs. Dentists partner with community health organizations to provide vital oral healthcare where it’s needed. As a dentist, your contribution is not just invaluable. It is the key to making a real difference in the lives of children.
School oral health care has its share of challenges. There are roadblocks for financing, resources, and administration. However, with your support and the collective effort of the community, these challenges can be overcome.
We will examine what you can do to participate in this school dental care revolution.
Key Takeaways:
- School oral health programs aim to reduce dental health disparities among children from low-income families.
- These programs provide preventive care, such as sealants, to improve children's oral health outcomes.
- Challenges of school dental programs include financing, coordinating schedules, managing communication, and addressing privacy concerns.
- Some medical offices offer primary dental care to fill the gap in areas with limited access to dentists.
What Are School Dental Programs
School oral healthcare programs are becoming more common around the U.S. They are designed to reduce dental health disparities among children from low-income families. It is crucial step in promoting equal access to oral health care. These programs provide preventive care, such as sealants, which can significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Approximately 65% of states and the District of Columbia have school-based or school-linked dental sealant programs. Many of these school dental sealant programs use income to determine which schools to target. There are federal programs commonly used as proxies for income, barriers to accessing oral health care, and increased risk for tooth decay. These programs include the National School Lunch Program and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
The Impact of School Dental Programs
Dental students and professionals are providing much-needed care throughout the country. Boston University offers dental care for 50 schools in Boston and throughout Massachusetts. They work with 3,000 children between 6 months and 21 years old, making a significant impact on the oral health of these children.
The NYU College of Dentistry has been treating New York City and New Hampshire students and is looking to expand to Maine and Vermont. They treated 81,000 students across 820 schools in NYC last school year.
Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio provides mobile school-based dental clinics. Their providers have seen 1,700 children since 2021. Meanwhile, Minnesota nonprofit Ready, Set, Smile is in 44 schools in the Twin Cities. They have served 2,225 children, further illustrating the reach of these programs. These examples highlight the significant impact of school dental programs on children.
Challenges of School Dental Programs
School oral health programs often serve low-income populations who are uninsured or on Medicaid. As such, the programs rely heavily on donations. Other everyday challenges also come with providing this oral health care. Providers have to coordinate with school schedules, collect consent forms, work with families and guardians, and clarify specific roles and responsibilities. These challenges can be overcome with innovative solutions and community involvement. It's important to highlight the potential for improvement and encouraging participation.
How Medical Offices are Filling the Gap
Some doctors have expanded their roles to include primary dental care in areas with limited access to dentists. In states like Maine, Minnesota, and Vermont, dental therapists are trained to provide fillings and extractions. These practitioners work alongside dentists to offer quality oral health care. It happens particularly in geographically isolated and rural regions. This innovative approach is address the shortage of dentists and improving access. It further demonstrates the potential for creative solutions and the need for access to dental care.
What You Can Do to Help
There are variations in how school oral health programs are administered. You can lend your skills and resources to your community differently depending on your capabilities. Here are the standard programs:
- School-based oral health programs: These are conducted within a school with oral health professionals (typically dental hygienists). They use portable equipment in a temporary location. Care can also be provided in a fixed clinical facility like a school-based health center. Additionally, there are mobile dental vans that can be brought to schools.
- School-linked oral health programs: Services are provided at a location connected to a school. This can be a community clinic or private dental office. In addition to screenings, school-linked programs can present oral health education and distribute consent forms.
- Hybrid school oral health programs incorporate components of school-based and school-linked oral health programs.
- Teledentistry: This care delivery method has shown its ability to improve access to oral health care and lower care costs. It can be an ideal way to provide oral health services in areas with inadequate access. Teledentistry is being used specifically for treatment planning and specialty consultations.
School dental programs are vital in addressing oral health disparities among children from low-income families. The impact of these programs is significant, thanks to the dedication of dental students, professionals, and community health organizations. While challenges exist, the community's collective effort can overcome these obstacles and improve access to vital oral health care. Your support and contribution, whether through offering your skills or resources, can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these children and their families.
For more on impacting and educating families, get your copy of our health literacy guide for patients.
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