Sandra Nagel Beebe, RDH, PhD¹, Michele Tapocik, RDH, BS², and Courtney Sykes, RDH, BS². (1) Health Care Professions, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, ASA, MC 6615, Carbondale, IL 62901, 618 529-7591, sbeebe@siu.edu, (2) Dental Hygienist, 2317 Shabbona Drive, Springfield, IL 62702

The United States Surgeon General, Richard Carmona, has called upon public health professionals, and health care providers to partner up to improve oral health. Carmona emphasized oral health as key to general health. Oral disease was described as a "silent epidemic" affecting millions of Americans instigated by limited access to care for vulnerable populations. Poverty was the greatest predictor for oral disease. On average, children from low-income families missed fifty million hours of school every year because of dental disease that progressed to severe illnesses. The Surgeon General has provided the fuel to inspire hygienists to become involved in public health; thus opportunities for hygienists were expanding, however, dental public health outreach was lacking. For example, eighty-percent of the local health departments do not have dental programs. Having programs in local health departments was one of many ways to provide better access to care. Data would be provided to demonstrate availability for access to care. By providing care beyond a private practice setting, hygienists are increasing access to care for the under-served populations. Data provided would cover oral health education, oral care tools, and increased access to dental professionals. One program's data had a twenty-nine percent reduction in mean plaque scores upon completion. Reinforcement and repetition are key to the long-term success of oral education programs.

Learning Objectives: After conclusion of the poster presentation, the participant at this board will be able to

• Prioritize the need for preventive oral health education in local health departments.
• Identify new roles for dental hygienist's and health care professionals in public health.
• List programs available to assist in dental oral health for community health departments while understanding the value for reinforcement and repetition of various programs for successful long-term retention.

Keywords: Access to Care, Community Collaboration

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.