Dental disease is a costly, major infectious disease among children, causing pain, dysfunction, and, at times, death. Mounting data indicate poor dental health may have effects beyond the oral cavity, e.g., growth delays in children, preterm labor and low birth weight deliveries for pregnant women. Oral health problems are greater for low-income, culturally diverse populations, who have limited access to adequate care and low utilization rates. The Children’s Dental Health Initiative of San Diego/Share the Care Program (STC), a private-public partnership, addresses the epidemic of pediatric dental disease by bridging health, business, and political arenas to link families to pro bono emergency and preventive dental treatment, low-cost medical and dental insurance programs for on-going care, and oral health education. STC’s approaches can be replicated in other communities to establish and strengthen oral health programs for a wide range of culturally diverse audiences. Discussion may include: integrating oral health messages into existing health messages, cultivating community partnerships, increasing access to and resources for urgent and preventive oral health services for at-risk populations, maintaining a volunteer pool of oral health professionals for pro bono care, establishing community- and school-based dental sealant programs, working with peer-mentoring programs, and developing interactive community oral health and nutrition education.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. describe ways to build and integrate community oral health coalitions; 2. describe strategies to establish community safety nets for urgent care and dental homes; 3. identify culturally relevant community oral health education materials and resources; and 4. discuss interactive experiences to enhance learning for clients.
Keywords: Oral Health, Community-Based Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.