Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal 7/2011

01-10-2011

Empowering Head Start to Improve Access to Good Oral Health for Children from Low Income Families

Authors: Peter Milgrom, Philip Weinstein, Colleen Huebner, Janessa Graves, Ohnmar Tut

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 7/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

Surveys over 20 years have documented worsening in the dental health of preschoolers. Healthy People 2010 Midcourse Review reports the country moving away from oral health goals for young children; the slip is 57%. Exacerbating this is the inability of Medicaid to provide for those in need. Most children receive examinations only: few receive comprehensive care. We urge Head Start grantees to adopt a new approach to oral health goals and in this paper offer: (1) a review of the problem and premises preventing a solution; (2) a proposal that Head Start adopt a public health perspective; and (3) specific roles staff and dental personnel can take to mount aggressive strategies to arrest tooth decay at the grantee site.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Dye, B. A., Tan, S., Smith, V., Lewis, B. G., Barker, L. K., Thornton-Evans, G., et al. (2007) Trends in oral health status: United States, 1988–1994 and 1999–2004. Vital Health Statistics, 11(248), 29, National Center for Health Statistics. Dye, B. A., Tan, S., Smith, V., Lewis, B. G., Barker, L. K., Thornton-Evans, G., et al. (2007) Trends in oral health status: United States, 1988–1994 and 1999–2004. Vital Health Statistics, 11(248), 29, National Center for Health Statistics.
8.
go back to reference Edelstein, B. L. (2000). Access to dental care for head start enrollees. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 60(3), 221–229 discussion 230–232.PubMedCrossRef Edelstein, B. L. (2000). Access to dental care for head start enrollees. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 60(3), 221–229 discussion 230–232.PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Graves, C. E., Berkowitz, R. J., Proskin, H. M., Chase, I., Weinstein, P., & Billings, R. (2004). Clinical outcomes for early childhood caries: Influence of aggressive dental surgery. Journal of Dentistry for Children (Chicago), 71(2), 114–117. Graves, C. E., Berkowitz, R. J., Proskin, H. M., Chase, I., Weinstein, P., & Billings, R. (2004). Clinical outcomes for early childhood caries: Influence of aggressive dental surgery. Journal of Dentistry for Children (Chicago), 71(2), 114–117.
12.
go back to reference Bratthall, D., Hänsel-Petersson, G., & Sundberg, H. (1996). Reasons for the caries decline: What do the experts believe? European Journal of Oral Sciences, 104, 416–422.PubMedCrossRef Bratthall, D., Hänsel-Petersson, G., & Sundberg, H. (1996). Reasons for the caries decline: What do the experts believe? European Journal of Oral Sciences, 104, 416–422.PubMedCrossRef
14.
16.
go back to reference Kowash, M. B., Pinfield, A., Smith, J., & Curzon, M. E. (2000). Effectiveness on oral health of a long-term health education programme for mothers with young children. British Dental Journal, 188(4), 201–205.PubMed Kowash, M. B., Pinfield, A., Smith, J., & Curzon, M. E. (2000). Effectiveness on oral health of a long-term health education programme for mothers with young children. British Dental Journal, 188(4), 201–205.PubMed
17.
go back to reference Harrison, R. L., & Wong, T. (2003). An oral health promotion program for an urban minority population of preschool children. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 31(5), 392–399.PubMedCrossRef Harrison, R. L., & Wong, T. (2003). An oral health promotion program for an urban minority population of preschool children. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 31(5), 392–399.PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Rong, W. S., Bian, J. Y., Wang, W. J., & Wang, J. D. (2003). Effectiveness of an oral health education and caries prevention program in kindergartens in China. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 31(6), 412–416.PubMedCrossRef Rong, W. S., Bian, J. Y., Wang, W. J., & Wang, J. D. (2003). Effectiveness of an oral health education and caries prevention program in kindergartens in China. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 31(6), 412–416.PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Wennhall, I., Martensson, E. M., Sjunnesson, I., Matsson, L., Schroder, U., & Twetman, S. (2005). Caries-preventive effect of an oral health program for preschool children in a low socio-economic, multicultural area in Sweden: results after one year. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 63(3), 163–167.PubMedCrossRef Wennhall, I., Martensson, E. M., Sjunnesson, I., Matsson, L., Schroder, U., & Twetman, S. (2005). Caries-preventive effect of an oral health program for preschool children in a low socio-economic, multicultural area in Sweden: results after one year. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 63(3), 163–167.PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Blinkhorn, A. S., Wainwright-Stringer, Y. M., & Holloway, P. J. (2001). Dental health knowledge and attitudes of regularly attending mothers of high-risk, pre-school children. International Dental Journal, 51(6), 435–438.PubMedCrossRef Blinkhorn, A. S., Wainwright-Stringer, Y. M., & Holloway, P. J. (2001). Dental health knowledge and attitudes of regularly attending mothers of high-risk, pre-school children. International Dental Journal, 51(6), 435–438.PubMedCrossRef
21.
22.
go back to reference Khattak, M. F., Conry, J. P., & Ko, C. C. (2005). Comparison of three topical fluorides using computer imaging. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 30(2), 139–144.PubMed Khattak, M. F., Conry, J. P., & Ko, C. C. (2005). Comparison of three topical fluorides using computer imaging. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 30(2), 139–144.PubMed
25.
go back to reference Seppa, L. (1983). Effect of dental plaque on fluoride uptake by enamel from a sodium fluoride varnish in vivo. Caries Research, 17, 71–75.PubMedCrossRef Seppa, L. (1983). Effect of dental plaque on fluoride uptake by enamel from a sodium fluoride varnish in vivo. Caries Research, 17, 71–75.PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Goodson, J. M., Palys, D., Carpino, E., Regan, E. O., Sweeney, M., & Socransky, S. S. (2004). Microbiological changes associated with dental prophylaxis. Journal of American Dental Association, 135, 1559–1564. Goodson, J. M., Palys, D., Carpino, E., Regan, E. O., Sweeney, M., & Socransky, S. S. (2004). Microbiological changes associated with dental prophylaxis. Journal of American Dental Association, 135, 1559–1564.
27.
go back to reference Chu, C. H., Lo, E. C., & Lin, H. C. (2002). Effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride and sodium fluoride varnish in arresting dentin caries in Chinese preschool children. Journal of Dental Research, 81(11), 767–770.PubMedCrossRef Chu, C. H., Lo, E. C., & Lin, H. C. (2002). Effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride and sodium fluoride varnish in arresting dentin caries in Chinese preschool children. Journal of Dental Research, 81(11), 767–770.PubMedCrossRef
28.
go back to reference Lopez, L., Berkowitz, R., Zlotnik, H., Moss, M., & Weinstein, P. (1999). Topical antimicrobial therapy in the prevention of early childhood caries. Pediatric Dentistry, 21(1):9–11.PubMed Lopez, L., Berkowitz, R., Zlotnik, H., Moss, M., & Weinstein, P. (1999). Topical antimicrobial therapy in the prevention of early childhood caries. Pediatric Dentistry, 21(1):9–11.PubMed
29.
go back to reference Lopez, L., Berkowitz, R., Spiekerman, C., & Weinstein, P. (2002). Topical antimicrobial therapy in the prevention of early childhood caries: A follow-up report. Pediatric Dentistry, 24(3), 204–206.PubMed Lopez, L., Berkowitz, R., Spiekerman, C., & Weinstein, P. (2002). Topical antimicrobial therapy in the prevention of early childhood caries: A follow-up report. Pediatric Dentistry, 24(3), 204–206.PubMed
30.
go back to reference Berkowitz, R. J. (2003). Causes, treatment and prevention of early childhood caries: A microbiologic perspective. Journal of Canadian Dental Association, 69(5), 304–307. Berkowitz, R. J. (2003). Causes, treatment and prevention of early childhood caries: A microbiologic perspective. Journal of Canadian Dental Association, 69(5), 304–307.
31.
go back to reference Zhan, L., Featherstone, J. D., Gansky, S. A., Hoover, C. I., Fujino, T., Berkowitz, R. J., & Den Besten, P. K. (2006). Antibacterial treatment needed for severe early childhood caries. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 66(3), 174–179.PubMedCrossRef Zhan, L., Featherstone, J. D., Gansky, S. A., Hoover, C. I., Fujino, T., Berkowitz, R. J., & Den Besten, P. K. (2006). Antibacterial treatment needed for severe early childhood caries. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 66(3), 174–179.PubMedCrossRef
32.
go back to reference Caufield, P. W., & Gibbons, R. J. (1979). Suppression of Streptococcus mutans in the mouths of humans by a dental prophylaxis and topically-applied iodine. Journal of Dental Research, 58, 1317–1326.PubMedCrossRef Caufield, P. W., & Gibbons, R. J. (1979). Suppression of Streptococcus mutans in the mouths of humans by a dental prophylaxis and topically-applied iodine. Journal of Dental Research, 58, 1317–1326.PubMedCrossRef
33.
go back to reference Volpe, A. R., Kupczak, L. J., Brant, J. H., King, W. J., Kestenbaum, R. C., & Schlissel, H. J. (1969). Antimicrobial control of bacterial plaque and calculus and the effects of these agents on oral flora. Journal of Dental Research, 48(5), 832–841.PubMedCrossRef Volpe, A. R., Kupczak, L. J., Brant, J. H., King, W. J., Kestenbaum, R. C., & Schlissel, H. J. (1969). Antimicrobial control of bacterial plaque and calculus and the effects of these agents on oral flora. Journal of Dental Research, 48(5), 832–841.PubMedCrossRef
34.
go back to reference McDonald, J. L., & Stookey, G. K. (1978). Antimicrobial agents and dental caries in the rat. Journal of Dental Research, 57(2), 349–354.PubMedCrossRef McDonald, J. L., & Stookey, G. K. (1978). Antimicrobial agents and dental caries in the rat. Journal of Dental Research, 57(2), 349–354.PubMedCrossRef
35.
go back to reference Weinstein, P., Harrison, R., & Benton, T. (2006). Motivating mothers to prevent caries: Confirming the beneficial effect of counseling. Journal of the American Dental Association, 137(6), 789–793.PubMed Weinstein, P., Harrison, R., & Benton, T. (2006). Motivating mothers to prevent caries: Confirming the beneficial effect of counseling. Journal of the American Dental Association, 137(6), 789–793.PubMed
36.
go back to reference Bitar, L. L. (2007). Barriers to obtaining needed dental treatment for Head Start children in Washington State. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Bitar, L. L. (2007). Barriers to obtaining needed dental treatment for Head Start children in Washington State. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
37.
go back to reference Grembowski, D., & Milgrom, P. (2000). Increasing access to dental care among medicaid preschool children: The access to baby and child dentistry (ABCD) program. Public Health Reports, 115(5), 448–459.PubMedCrossRef Grembowski, D., & Milgrom, P. (2000). Increasing access to dental care among medicaid preschool children: The access to baby and child dentistry (ABCD) program. Public Health Reports, 115(5), 448–459.PubMedCrossRef
38.
go back to reference Savage, M. F., Lee, J. Y., Kotch, J. B., & Vann, WF Jr. (2004). Early preventive dental visits: Effects on subsequent utilization and costs. Pediatrics, 114(4):e418–e423.PubMedCrossRef Savage, M. F., Lee, J. Y., Kotch, J. B., & Vann, WF Jr. (2004). Early preventive dental visits: Effects on subsequent utilization and costs. Pediatrics, 114(4):e418–e423.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Empowering Head Start to Improve Access to Good Oral Health for Children from Low Income Families
Authors
Peter Milgrom
Philip Weinstein
Colleen Huebner
Janessa Graves
Ohnmar Tut
Publication date
01-10-2011
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 7/2011
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-008-0316-6

Other articles of this Issue 7/2011

Maternal and Child Health Journal 7/2011 Go to the issue