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Hillsborough County Health Department Community Dental Health Program Kim Herremans , RDH, MS

Hillsborough County Health Department Community Dental Health Program Kim Herremans , RDH, MS Karen Hodge, RDH, MHSc. What is ‘WIC Smiles 4 U’ ?. Community based preventive dental program developed to address the oral health needs of vulnerable women, infants and children enrolled in WIC.

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Hillsborough County Health Department Community Dental Health Program Kim Herremans , RDH, MS

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  1. Hillsborough County Health Department Community Dental Health Program Kim Herremans, RDH, MS Karen Hodge, RDH, MHSc

  2. What is ‘WIC Smiles 4 U’ ? • Community based preventive dental program developed to address the oral health needs of vulnerable women, infants and children enrolled in WIC

  3. Objectives: • Reduce caries incidence of infants, children in high risk, vulnerable populations. • Target: Evidence supports engaging pregnant women who are most receptive to follow advice/education for care of their child.

  4. Who are key stakeholders? • Hillsborough County Health Department and local Federally Qualified Health Centers: Suncoast CHC and Tampa Family HC. • Collaboration of private and public agencies.

  5. Plan Action Establish a partnership with local community health centers to provide early preventive dental health services onsite at WIC clinics for vulnerable pregnant women and children Developed an online course to meet the educational needs of WIC staff/nutritionists on the importance of children’s dental health and overall health. • Integrate systems of care - increase access and reduce oral health disparities of women and children enrolled in WIC. • Expand effective bio-behavioral interventions that can be delivered by social workers, community health workers and nutritionists.

  6. 98% WIC staff participation! - 133HCHD WIC staff completed a 1 hour ‘WIC Smiles 4 U’ CME course in TRAK IT. - 100other DOH employees from around the state have logged in to complete the course. Oral Health Champions!

  7. Training for dental providers • Oral risk assessment, • Latest on fluoride varnish, • Didactic and “hands on” training for glass ionomer sealants • Education and information on reducing vertical transmission of the caries from caregiver to child.

  8. Launched October 11, 2011 (10 months) 900 Clients served to date WIC smiles 4

  9. Dental Services onsite: • Oral risk assessment • Oral hygiene instructions and nutritional counseling • Fluoride varnish • Sealants (primary and permanent teeth) • Prophylaxis • Referral to a health home

  10. WIC ‘Smiles 4 U’clients receive dental products and educational materials

  11. Referral into a health home…

  12. Other things to smile about: • Clients are encouraged to continue breast feeding • Parents get guidance to obtain Florida Kidcare coverage for their children • Clients are counseled by dental providers to reduce frequency of sugar consumption • Mothers receive education to reduce incidence of early childhood caries

  13. WIC Smiles 4 U Preschool Survey Results • No obvious problems. Your child should see a dentist for a comprehensive examination and radiographs (x-rays). • Early dental care is needed. Care is needed soon. Your child has a dental problem that should be treated within the next 6 weeks. • Urgent care is needed. Your child has a dental problem that needs to be treated immediately. • 54% No obvious problem • 30% Early care is needed • 16% Urgent care is needed

  14. Hillsborough County46% Unmet Needsvs. National 23% for Unmet Needs

  15. Lessons learned • Start small – think big • Start early and involve all • Assure oral health literacy • Maximize the utility of science • Fix public program • Empower families and enhance their capabilities Burton Edelstein, Children Dental Health Project Improving Delivery Systems Through Workforce Innovations: Options and Opportunities for the Dental Safety Net

  16. Challenges that we met: • Buy in from WIC staff and community health centers • Patient no show – Developed a Walk in system for clients as they arrive at mobile dental coach • Contracts between health department and community health centers • Language barrier • Resource guide/brochure for clients looking for medical/dental care. • Referral system for urgent dental care services required • Receiving copies of referral forms from CHC’s on a timely basis • Receiving invoices for services rendered on a timely basis • Dental staff communicating with WIC staff • Parking mobile coach near clinic

  17. Best practices: • Online interactive children’s dental health course for WIC • Dental ‘event’ calendar • Hosted “Dinner and Learn” training • Messaging

  18. Best practices: (continued) • Designated WIC employee as ‘key contact’ for dental events • Versatility of bilingual dental coach staff. • 1 week prior to dental event - CHC’s collect medical histories and appointment sheets. • 2 days prior to event confirm client appointments.

  19. Future program plans may lead to: • Expansion to other safety net providers and health agencies. • Expansion across the state and to the nation. • NOHC/Oral Health Florida/ FPHA/ FDHA/ APHA/ Robert Woods Foundation/ASTDD

  20. Questions? Kim_Herremans@doh.state.fl.us Karen_Hodge@doh.state.fl.us www.GTBOHC.org

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