April 18, 2012 DHI Update

The DHI Update is a bi-weekly digest of news, information, and resources for Head Start Dental Home Initiative consultants, Head Start State Collaboration directors, State Head Start Association directors, Regional Program Managers, and other partners.

NEWS

Kellogg Report Finds Dental Therapists Expand Children’s Access to Care
A Dr. Biscupid article reports on the release of a new extensive literature review of care provided by dental therapists. According to the review of 1,100 documents, funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the care given by dental therapists around the world has been safe and effective, especially for children. The article includes responses to the findings from AAPD and the ADA.

Colorado Considering Expansion of Dental Coverage for Pregnant Women
The Colorado legislature is considering a bill to extend dental health care to women on Medicaid who are pregnant or have just given birth. Dr. Pamela McClain, president of the American Academy of Periodontology and a state resident, told Colorado Public News that many pregnant women don’t realize that increased levels of progesterone during pregnancy make them more susceptible to gum disease.

STATE AND TRIBAL SPOTLIGHTS

Helping Parents Choose Oral Health: State Teams Host Training in Motivational Interviewing

California’s DHI team invited Motivational Interviewing researcher Dr. Philip Weinstein to host half-day sessions on May 8 in San Diego in conjunction with a meeting of state Head Start/ EHS health managers. The morning session will be a free CE training for dentists and staff. The afternoon session, “Ready for Change! Helping Parents Choose Good Oral Health for Their Family,” is for health managers and other front-line staff – participants will earn a certificate in CAMBRA (Caries Management By Risk Assessment). To learn more, contact Patrice Pascual (ppascual@pal-tech.com).

In Washington, Collaboration Director Jennifer Jennings-Shaffer and STL Dr. Sidney Gallegos have organized a MI training session, Partnering with Families to Support Better Oral Health, for May 14-15 in Seattle. Approximately 90 people are expected at the session, which will be led by an experienced MI trainer and practitioner.

See the August 17, 2011 issue of DHI Update for more on MI.

Delaware Parents Speak Out on Oral Health!
490 Head Start parents responded to a questionnaire that focused on dental homes and treatment needs developed by Delaware STL Dr. Katie Matthews. The questionnaire results will be released on Friday, April 20 at Delaware’s DHI launch meeting. Congratulations to the state’s Head Start/EHS programs for their work in obtaining this phenomenal response. Just over 3,000 children are enrolled in programs.

A wrap-up of the Delaware meeting plus a summary of the parent questionnaire results will be published in the next DHI Update.

Fluoride Varnish Initiative in Region XI Leads to Improved Outcomes
The Indian Health Service Head Start Program has distributed over 20,000 fluoride varnish doses for children in 31 Region XI Head Start programs and has provided in-person and online training for staff to administer the varnish under direction of a dentist or physician. The effort led to increased collaboration between local Head Start programs and IHS/Tribal dental programs. Trained Head Start staff also reported being able to apply fluoride varnish for children who are uncooperative with dental staff, including many children with special needs.

Region XI PIR data from the 2011 program year show that 88.65% of the children received preventive services – a 51% increase since 1996 above the national average of 85.33%. Region XI Oral Health Consultant Bonnie Bruerd suggests the growth may largely be attributed to the efforts of Head Start staff and IHS/Tribal dental professionals who implemented the Fluoride Varnish Initiative.

New York’s “Give Kids a Smile” Serves Many Families
Region II Oral Health Consultant Dr. Reneida Reyes shared photographs from two very successful screening and education events organized around Children’s Dental Health Month in New York.

Below, dental resident Kimberly Farrell gives a toothbrushing demonstration.

Here, Dr. Reyes (pink jacket) shares smiles with Dr. Patricia Hong, a young patient and a kid-friendly dental mascot, Dr. Rabbit.

DHI Leadership
Marco Beltran, DHI Project Lead, Office of Head Start
Marco.Beltran@ACF.hhs.gov or 202-205-7844
Dr. Conan Davis, DHI Technical Consultant
conand@uab.edu or 205-996-2724

Head Start Resource Center (HSRC) Staff
The HSRC staff supports the Office of Head Start in the Dental Home Initiative.
Patrice Pascual, Project Lead, ppascual@pal-tech.com or 703-247-8307
Adriann Hawkins, Sr. Health Systems Analyst, ahawkins@pal-tech.com or 703-908-8862
Lynn Olson, Project Specialist, lolson@pal-tech.com or 703-908-8875
Whit Laga, Project Specialist, wlaga@pal-tech.com or 703-247-3506
Sophia Robinson, Contract Specialist, srobinson@pal-tech.com or 703-247-8322 (Sophia is the primary contact for billing and reimbursement questions.)
Next DHI Update: May 2, 2012