Winter 2017-18

32 New Mexico Dental Journal, Winter 2018 OOH Report The New Mexico Office of Oral Health RDH Staff By Rudy Blea— OOH Program Director The Department of Health, Office of Oral Health (OOH)'s overall mission is to prevent tooth decay, promote health eating, and increase the public’s awareness of the importance of oral health and overall health. OOH conducts a school based linked mobile dental program, promotes oral health, and conducts dental case management. Our school linked mobile program conducts dental sealant and fluoride varnish clinics throughout the state, and assists children/families secure a dental home if the child requires treatment services. Currently, the program employs three Registered Dental Hygienist(RDH) to conduct the school linked services and promote oral health in the community. The RDHs are in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Las Cruces. Each one is supported by dental assistant and as needed receive direction from Rudy Blea, Program Director or Ronald J. Romero DDS (program dentist). Each team travels hundreds of miles each year in our mobile vans to conduct the clinics or attend health fairs throughout the state. The staff also assist parents secure a dental home if they do not have one or if their child needs treatment services. The staff work with WIC clients promoting oral health to pregnant women and their families. The Santa Fe RDH works very closely at the local high school teen parent program. The staff conducts oral health education for the teens and their children, promote healthy eating, and fluoride varnish treatments. The staff maintain excellent relationships with local school nurses, secretaries, and administrators which contributes to the success of the program. In addition to their regular duties, the RDH’s participate in other activities to improve the health status of New Mexicans. One RDH is the NM Regional Head Star Coordinator and works closely with the various Head Start directors. Another works closely with the Las Cruces community promoting oral health. Each year, the RDH’s attend the NM Dental Association annual meeting showcasing our program or taking courses. Between the three RDHs’, they have over 35 years’ experience in the program and additional years of experience in the private sector. Each staff member is an Associate with the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors and the NM Dental Hygiene Association. In addition to their NM Dental Health Care Board license, they are certified in CPR and hold OSHA certificates of training.