Increasing Access to Dental Care Through Primary Health Care Prodiver Education

Abstract

Recent research has identified that the historical approach to Early Childhood Caries (ECC) has changed. It is now imperative to screen and treat infants, toddlers, and their mothers to identify those at risk and begin an intervention program during pregnancy and throughout infancy. It is often the primary health care provider, such as physicians, physician's assistants (PA's), nurses, and pediatric specialists who see these young people before they see a dental health care professional. Currently, caries education and prevention is not included in any of these program curricula within the University of South Dakota (USD) other than the dental hygiene program. Like most other states, South Dakota has an access to dental care crisis. The percentages of third graders in South Dakota with a decay history (67%) and untreated decay (30%) are both much higher than the national goals of 42% and 21%, respectively, of Healthy People 2010. The purpose of this educational pilot project is to supply basic knowledge of ECC, fluoride varnish application, and the preventive role of xylitol and chlorhexidine to PA students. Evaluation mechanisms include a pretest and posttest measuring a change in students' knowledge base. An increase in knowledge has been shown. Expansion of the project includes educating USD medical and nursing students, and mentoring and observing these health care providers as they implement these prevention strategies during clinical rotations. It is the goal of this project to increase access to dental care through primary health care providers who will perform oral screenings and implement prevention strategies during well-baby checks, immunization appointments, and prenatal care.