The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60401

Amos S. Deinard, MD, MPH¹, Ruth Hampton, BA, MSW, MPH², Thaddeus V. Lesiak, BA, MSW², Srismitha Modem, BDS³, and Bernardita Prado, BS¹. (1) Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, MMC 85, 420 Delaware Street S.E, Minneapolis, MN 55455, (612)638-0700 x212, deina001@tc.umn.edu, (2) Andersen Schools, 1100 Andersen Lane, Minneapolis, MN 55407, (3) Department of Environmental Health, University of Minnesota, 1115 14th Ave. SE, Apt. 11, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Objective: The project is an exercise in civic engagement. Parents of Andersen students (preschool - 8) approached University of Minnesota staff to assist them in addressing a serious dental caries problem affecting over 70% of students. School demographics: 95% of families are < 200% f.p.g.; 99% of students are minorities (60% Latino); many are unable to get dental care because of dentists’ unwillingness to serve Medicaid patients and to offer care on a sliding fee schedule to the uninsured. Methods: Monthly meetings between parents, University staff, and the school-based Resource Center were begun in late 2001. They were devoted to defining the community’s expectations of the development process, educating participants about caries (etiology, prevention), planning how to get information to all Andersen parents and how to help them apply for insurance coverage, and developing a dental care program for all parents and their children. Results: The program, based on education and advocacy, is in its first year of implementation. Monthly meetings of the partners remain community-driven and focused on evaluating process and program. Successes are acknowledged and tough issues discussed and resolved. The presentation will include a description of this civic engagement exercise, data from the first year of intervention, and lessons learned and implementations made for year two. Conclusions: The clinical goal of limiting progression of dental pathology in current students and preventing development of pathology in current preschoolers is being successfully addressed. Similarly, the program’s goals and implementation remain community-driven and community focused.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to:
• Create a partnership between an organization (e.g. University) in role as consultant with a community in need of consultation.
• Prioritize the needs of the community.
• Identify resources to address the needs.
• Implement the intervention.
• Evaluate the success of the intervention.

Keywords: Community Collaboration, Community Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.