Strong Alliances, Strong Teeth
Posted April 28th, 2008 by Becky Drews
Hutchinson News-
Stephanie Augustine, a dental hygienist at Reno County Head Start, was amazed by the number of young children she has examined who have tooth decay.
"I thought it was rare for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds to have decay," she said. "I found that not to be true."
For the past two years, Augustine has played a pivotal role in the innovative dental health program at Reno County Head Start, 330 Charles Ave., in Hutchinson.
The program provides dental care, including cleanings and fluoride varnishes, for young children and expectant mothers at Reno County Head Start who otherwise could not afford it. Augustine's "portable dental office" is also used at elementary schools in Reno County.
The dental program was developed a couple of years ago through federal grant money from the Office of Head Start, said Luann Sawyer, health coordinator for Reno County Head Start.
Now, the local program will soon be replicated across the state.
The Kansas Head Start Association is developing a statewide oral health program after being awarded two grants: $311,548 over five years from Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation and a two-year grant of $155,760 from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.
Dubbed "Kansas Cavity-Free Kids," the statewide initiative will connect early-learning programs, safety-net clinics, extended-care permit dental hygienists and local dentists, according to Kathy Hunt, the program's project director.
"Many dentists don't accept HealthWave and Medicaid, so we're finding alternative ways to get care to those who need it," Hunt said.
Reno County Head Start would likely receive a portion of the funds for additional equipment and would also have access to a statewide curriculum and database to help with record-keeping, she said.
KHSA is also looking at offering dental care at nursing homes and schools - "places people congregate, who would have difficulty accessing care," Hunt said.
At Reno County Head Start, Sawyer said the dental program serves about 300 clients, with children getting check-ups with Augustine twice a year.
"As she sees problems, like cavities or gum disease, she can refer that out for dental treatment," Sawyer said. "With her in the program as a liaison, we have real strong partnerships with dental providers in the community that we didn't have before."
Sawyer estimated about 40 percent of children in the program have tooth decay and said many of the children "have never seen a dentist before."
According to Hunt, 28 percent of children enter kindergarten with untreated cavities.
"Many studies show that if you don't have good oral health, it's difficult to be successful in school," she said. "These children are walking around with holes in their mouths. This is the group we need to focus on, and we're trying to get prevention there."
Stephanie Augustine, a dental hygienist at Reno County Head Start, was amazed by the number of young children she has examined who have tooth decay.
"I thought it was rare for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds to have decay," she said. "I found that not to be true."
For the past two years, Augustine has played a pivotal role in the innovative dental health program at Reno County Head Start, 330 Charles Ave., in Hutchinson.
The program provides dental care, including cleanings and fluoride varnishes, for young children and expectant mothers at Reno County Head Start who otherwise could not afford it. Augustine's "portable dental office" is also used at elementary schools in Reno County.
The dental program was developed a couple of years ago through federal grant money from the Office of Head Start, said Luann Sawyer, health coordinator for Reno County Head Start.
Now, the local program will soon be replicated across the state.
The Kansas Head Start Association is developing a statewide oral health program after being awarded two grants: $311,548 over five years from Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation and a two-year grant of $155,760 from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.
Dubbed "Kansas Cavity-Free Kids," the statewide initiative will connect early-learning programs, safety-net clinics, extended-care permit dental hygienists and local dentists, according to Kathy Hunt, the program's project director.
"Many dentists don't accept HealthWave and Medicaid, so we're finding alternative ways to get care to those who need it," Hunt said.
Reno County Head Start would likely receive a portion of the funds for additional equipment and would also have access to a statewide curriculum and database to help with record-keeping, she said.
KHSA is also looking at offering dental care at nursing homes and schools - "places people congregate, who would have difficulty accessing care," Hunt said.
At Reno County Head Start, Sawyer said the dental program serves about 300 clients, with children getting check-ups with Augustine twice a year.
"As she sees problems, like cavities or gum disease, she can refer that out for dental treatment," Sawyer said. "With her in the program as a liaison, we have real strong partnerships with dental providers in the community that we didn't have before."
Sawyer estimated about 40 percent of children in the program have tooth decay and said many of the children "have never seen a dentist before."
According to Hunt, 28 percent of children enter kindergarten with untreated cavities.
"Many studies show that if you don't have good oral health, it's difficult to be successful in school," she said. "These children are walking around with holes in their mouths. This is the group we need to focus on, and we're trying to get prevention there."
