1 Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Center for Health Equity Office of Primary Care and Rural Health Oral Health Program Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Division of Community and Public Health, Oral Health Program AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER Services provided on a nondiscriminatory basis. Notes Are Available With Each Slide Use “Control E” to View the Notes

2 What Is The Preventive Services Program? The Missouri Oral Health Preventive Services Program (PSP) is a community-based, systems approach to population-based prevention of oral disease.

3 PSP Methodology SURVEILLANCE Annual screening by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist EDUCATION Curriculum materials available PREVENTION Fluoride varnish applied twice per year by volunteers REFERRAL Children needing early or immediate dental care

4 People Involved in the Event You will be one of many involved in a PSP Event. That is the purpose of PSP. “Many hands working together for the oral health of the community. SCREENER Dentist or Dental Hygienist VARNISH VOLUNTEER Parent, Nurse, Teacher or any other Person Interested in Applying Varnish OTHER ASSISTANT Parent, Nurse, Teacher or any other Person interested in helping with the details of the Event EVENT COORDINATOR Person coordinating the screenings, varnish, education and referrals for the school or agency. Typically a School Nurse, Head Start Health Coordinator, County Nurse or Parent

5 Roles and Responsibilities DHSS –An Oral Health Program Consultant –Media Campaign –Educational Materials –Screening supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste & floss –Fluoride Varnish Supplies –Training –Support for community agency Community –Program Contact –Local contacts and scheduling assistance –Personnel recruitment –Referral System Development

6 Why Should You Consider PSP? Dental caries is a significant problem Oral health varies across SES levels Oral health varies across racial groups A considerable share of children do not have access to oral health care Higher income children have less decay than lower income children statewide Missouri’s children have a low level of dental sealants According to a recent survey of Missouri’s 3 rd grade children:

7 Overall 55% of Missouri’s third grade children had a history of experiencing tooth decay 27% of Missouri’s third grade children had untreated decay Only 29% of Missouri’s third graders had dental sealants Out of the number of children screened: 72% had no obvious or unresolved problem 23% needed early intervention (within a few weeks) 5% needed urgent dental care (care within 24 hours) Studies show that tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. It is five times higher than the next leading disease which is Asthma!

8 Some Questions You May Have Why Use fluoride? Why Use fluoride varnish? What is a screening? How is a fluoride varnish applied? What supplies are provided by DHSS? What Supplies Does the Event Coordinator Need to Obtain? What about paperwork?

9 Why Use Fluoride? Historically, the use of fluorides both systemically in fluoridated drinking water and topically (such as through toothpastes, mouth rinses & professionally applied in dental offices) has demonstrated a dramatic reduction in tooth decay for well over 50 years in the United States.

10 Why Use Fluoride Varnish? Fluoride Varnish has been proven effective in preventing tooth decay in both primary and permanent teeth. Fluoride varnish can reverse early decay and can arrest active decay lesions. Fluoride varnish promotes the remineralization of tooth enamel making it resistant to tooth decay. Fluoride varnish is readily adaptable requiring no special equipment and can be applied in a variety of settings (school classroom, library or gymnasium). Fluoride varnish sets on contact with moisture (saliva), reducing the risk of ingestion & therefore recommended for all ages. Fluoride varnish is a cost effective preventive measure against tooth decay.

11 Fluoride Varnish is Endorsed by the Following Associations …. American Dental Association Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

12 What is a Screening? Not a thorough clinical exam, no x-rays are taken Does not involve making a clinical diagnosis that results in a treatment plan Does identify obvious oral lesions Is conducted by licensed dentists and dental hygienists

13 How Is The Fluoride Varnish Applied? The varnish is “painted”on all the surfaces of the teeth with a disposable applicator. The process takes approximately 1-4 minutes for each child.

14 What Supplies are Provided by DHSS? These are ordered through a DHSS Oral Health Consultant Supplies from DHSS include: –Screening Forms –Disposable Mouth Mirrors –Fluoride Varnish –Toothbrushes and Toothpaste –Dental Floss –Educational Materials –Other Promotional Items

15 What Supplies Does the Event Coordinator Need to Obtain? –Masks –Gloves –Light Source –Eye Wear –Tooth picks –Gauze –Hand Sanitizer You will be asked to provide masks, gloves and hand sanitizer for your community volunteers, though you may ask your dental screeners to bring their own masks and gloves. Be sure to advise your screeners to bring a lighting source such as a small flashlight.

16 Provide an area with good lighting (an unused classroom, gymnasium or corner of a library will suffice).. What Space is Needed for a PSP Event? When choosing an area, try to maintain some privacy for each child as some children will have dental decay and poor oral hygiene Straight back chairs will be adequate for both the screening and varnish placement. Provide a table or desk top for your volunteers to hold their supplies.

17 What About Paperwork? DHSS provides all forms necessary for initiating and implementing the program. Screenings are to be done by dentists or dental hygienists only. Others may help with recording the findings. The coordinator of the event, will ascertain those children who have Parental/Guardian consent. Only those children who have positive consent forms will be screened & varnished. Screening forms are to be completed by filling in each of the circles on the form in either pen or pencil. All completed paperwork is to be collected by the event coordinator. It is to be reviewed for completeness as well as for obtaining information for those requiring referral, then sent back to DHSS.

18 PSP Activity Activity for the school year – 17,655 children screened. This has provided baseline data that will be essential in determining outcomes Approximately 360 licensed dental professionals have been calibrated to conduct oral screenings, plus approximately 660 volunteers have been trained to apply the fluoride varnish. Currently,there are 248 schools, daycare centers & Head Start agencies participating in PSP.

19 The End Result….. Happy and Healthy Smiles

20 For more detailed information on The Preventive Services Program and to find an Oral Health Program Consultant nearest you, please please visit our website at: and click on the tab “Find a Consultant”