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New Mexico Dental Journal, Spring 2015

26

OOH

T

he 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:

http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/dental_sealant_program

/

.

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