New Mexico Dental Journal Spring 2015

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New Mexico Dental Journal, Spring 2015 26
OOH
The vision of the Department of Health, Office
of Oral Health (OOH) is to increase the aware-
ness of families, individuals, and organizations
as to the importance of good oral health. Supporting
this vision is the Department of Health’s Health Plan
2014–2015, which focuses on a number of health
indicators promoting healthy living. Oral Health has
been selected as one of the health indicators. With
regards to the dental sealant program, the Health Plan
calls for providing preventive services to pre-school
and elementary school-aged children. The services
provided by OOH are meant to reduce the incidence
of poor oral health, and to increase access for those
who are experiencing dental disease, and to promote
oral health.
Each year, the OOH conducts a statewide school-
based dental mobile sealant program targeting indi-
gent students in first through third grade, as well as
some students in fourth through sixth grade. The
programs reduce the incidence of tooth decay on
permanent molars and premolars. In 2013–2014,
9729 children participated in the dental sealant
program. Of those participants, 8014 were screened,
5291 received dental sealants, 17,379 teeth were
sealed, and 1808 students had evidence of untreated
decay. Of those students with treatment needs, 481
received dental case management services which
included working with parents to see a dentists and/
or securing a dental home.
Dent al sealant prog rams are ev idence-based
prevention programs supported by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, the American
Dental Association and the Association of Pediatri-
cians, along with other national organizations. For
further information regarding dental sealants see:
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The program consists of:
• Providing oral health and nutritional
education to the students.
• An oral health assessment conducted
by a dental hygienist.
• One-on-one oral hygiene instruction.
• Application of dental sealant to
permanent molars and premolars.
• Retention check of teeth previously
sealed by our program.
• Parental notification of the oral
health status of the student.
• Assistance with securing a dental
home in the event that the family
needs this assistance.
State staff actively promote good oral habits: oral
hygiene, healthy eating, drinking fluoridated water
and visiting a dentist twice yearly. In addition, each
child receives an incentive packet containing a tooth-
brush, toothpaste, toothbrush cover and a two minute
brushing timer.
If a child is identified as needing dental care, a letter is
sent to the parent informing them that the child needs
to see a dentist. The state dental case manager follows
up with the family to ensure that appropriate treat-
ment is sought. The dental case manager will work
with the families to secure a dental home. The dental
case managers also work closely with local dentists
and Federally Qualified Health Centers in regards to
referring these individuals for dental care.
Dental Sealant Program
By Rudy Blea, OOH Program Director