May 16, 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
DHI Final Report in Development
Thanks to all of the STLs, ROHCs and state support fund managers who have answered our requests for information on state DHI activities and outcomes. We’ll produce a final report on the DHI for OHS and the National Center on Health.
Your HSRC staff liaison may touch base with you over the next six weeks to discuss your insights and DHI experiences in depth. We want to make sure the report truly reflects the quality and breadth of your work over the last several years.
National Journal Highlights Dentist Shortage
A report in the May 5 National Journal, a Washington, DC-based political weekly magazine, focused on the shortage of dentists in poor, rural regions. According to the Journal, 47 million Americans live in federally designated “dental shortage areas.” Every year, more dentists leave their practices than graduate from dental school, exacerbating the shortage. The article described a rural Kentucky dentist who addresses the shortage by operating a children’s mobile dental clinic that concentrates on preventive services for Head Start children.
DHI Webinars: For Migrant and Seasonal Head Start staff and for all Spanish-Speaking Head Start/EHS Parents
Dr. Francisco Ramos-Gomez of UCLA will host two valuable webinars in the coming months:
Wednesday, June 13, 10-11 a.m. PT
MSHS center directors and health managers will learn to lead an oral health program that promotes school readiness, motivate families and strengthen relationships with local dentists and their staff.
Saturday, July 28, 10-11 a.m. PT (in Spanish)
Spanish-speaking families will learn good oral health practices for their children.
Registration information will be available soon.
Better Oral Health Literacy Might Reduce Failed Appointments
Every dental office knows that failed appointments waste resources and ultimately reduce access to care. Could interventions increase the likelihood that all patients meet scheduled appointments? In findings (LINK) presented at the National Oral Health Conference on May 2, CA STL Dr. Jennifer Holtzman and colleagues Gironda and Atchison found that individuals who access few health resources (one aspect of oral health literacy) are at higher risk of breaking appointments. The reason for this association isn't known, nor is it known whether the children of these adults are also more likely to miss appointments. The researchers suggest accessible, plain language messages to make it easier to learn about the importance of oral health may be useful.
STATE AND TRIBAL SPOTLIGHTS
Oregon Improves Access to Care
When DHI state support fund project manager Karen Ayers presented Oregon’s dental managed care success story at the recent National Conference on Oral Health, the most frequently asked question was, “How did you (Head Start programs) get access to Medicaid information?” Ayers said that the key was “collaboration-everyone was at the table and everyone focused on finding access-to-care solutions.” An interagency agreement between the Department of Education and the state’s Division of Medicaid Assistance Plans (DMAP) allows Head Start programs to track dental services. According to the Oregon Public Health Authority, the state’s eight Dental Care Organizations provide access to dental services to more than 96 percent of Oregon Health Plan clients.
ROHC Dr. Kyle House, who’s been advocating for dental services as Oregon’s managed care approach unfolds, says Head Start programs should be represented in local coordinated care organizations (CCOs), which have public governing bodies. “Programs can make sure the new CCOs keep a focus on dentistry,” he said. “Get involved and speak up for those taking care of your students and families.”
DHI-Nevada/IHS Partnership Provides Fluoride Varnish and Parent Education Programs
Raylene Friel, health manager for the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada Head Start programs, is on the road this month providing fluoride varnish to 220 Head Start children and conducting oral health/nutrition training activities at 10 program sites. The Indian Health Service donated the varnish and the DHI is supporting Friel’s travel and training materials through state support funds.
Kansas Schedules Motivational Interviewing Training Sessions
On March 30th, 59 dental providers, health managers and home visitors participated in a motivational interviewing (MI) webinar sponsored by Kansas Cavity Free Kids (KCFK). The webinar served as a teaser for two intensive MI training sessions scheduled for June (you can view the recorded version of the webinar here). KCFK, a project of the Kansas Head Start Association, is expecting 60 participants in the June sessions who will learn and practice the MI behavior change method with an experienced MI practitioner and trainer.
Oklahoma Has Success with Mobile Dental Unit
As part of their state support activities, Oklahoma will help fund supplies for a mobile dental unit run by the Oklahoma Dental Foundation (ODF). This 35’ Winnebago can handle anything short of sedation treatment, including exams, cleanings, extractions, and restorative treatment. ODF has been using the mobile unit since 2006 and serves approximately 14-28 Head Start and Migrant Head Start programs per year. ODF also recruits local dentists to volunteer their time and they become a referral source for dental homes. To date, the mobile unit has been funded mostly by the Delta Dental Oral Health Foundation. For more information, contact Oklahoma's HSSCO, Kay Floyd.
CONTACT US
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: June 6, 2012