Providing non-traditional settings for dental care as well as ensuring access to dental care for the uninsured is a key priority. Kemple Clinic will provide 4 yrs. of screening data to show that each year, over 1500 children have been identified as needing immediate or near-term dental visits. Without these screenings, these children might have gone unnoticed and untreated. These situations cross all income brackets and create adverse effects on school attendance and readiness to learn. School Districts have embraced these assessment programs, dental screenings being a key component for over four years in Central Oregon.
"'Juan' was referred to us from Volunteers in Medicine (VIM). He is a 20 yr. old, without insurance and qualifies for our dental care for young adults 19-25. Juan is on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. We quickly provided preventative and diagnostic dental services to Juan and determined that he needed additional acute dental care. We contacted Mirror Pond Dental who has identified themselves as being interested in treating a young adult case. The treatments were expedited, and Juan was given a Dental Clearance for Pre-Kidney Transplant Evaluation. Juan has committed to effective oral health practices and is now smiling as he awaits his turn for a kidney transplant by Legacy Health in Portland. He has been set up for regular recall appointments twice a year and we expect to see him this Fall for a regular hygiene appointment."
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- The purpose of this project is to provide dental screenings in unconventional places as well as follow-ups. It is also to provide clinical services (regular hygiene appointments and acute care referrals) for uninsured, underserved, and underinsured children and young adults (ages 3-25) and advocate for all children and young adults to ensure access to timely, high-quality dental care. The project also intends to provide oral health instruction during all dental services; provide oral health education in various community settings, accompanied by screenings, sealant & fluoride applications, and dental referrals when appropriate.
- This project was implemented by Kemple Memorial Children’s Dental Clinic.
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The project attempted to:-
Provide convenient access to regular preventative services & treatments for children and young adults who are at-risk.
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Improve individual oral health habits in children and young adults who are at-risk.
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Bend-La Pine dental screenings greatly increased (from 25% screened in past years under OHA to 69% this year).
Consolidated and lengthened Return to Seal days, resulting in fewer trips/events to schools.
ODS signups in past years average 100+; with implementation of SB558 Cover all Kids this year, our focus was getting immigrants signed up for OHP, which reduced our ODS signups (for uninsured, underinsured, underserved).
Of 1,790 children, 30% were consented to seal but only 984 were read for and needed sealants (we sealed 895 children - 91% of those ready for and needing sealants - about 10% are usually absent on return to seal days or moved).
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- This was our first year serving the Free/Reduced Lunch Bend La Pine schools and implementing passive consent screening. Parents in BLP schools had not experienced passive consent screenings and some were understandably agitated. We, in partnership with school personnel - especially school nurses - were successful in turning around many of those who were strongly against dental screenings in schools and the offer of sealant applications. We took this resistance to change as an opportunity to reinforce the importance of dental care. Five years ago, we had some of the same resistance issues in Redmond and Sisters districts and were prepared for this reaction, turning it into an opportunity. This past school year, the percentage of children screened in BLP schools increased from 20- 25% in past years (without passive consent) to 80% of the school population (grades K, 1, 2) this year.
- The other challenge we faced was workforce management - staffing the increased number of schools that we added. We had a promise from one DCO to provide hygienist labor, but that was not fully filled. Our volunteer workforce in Central Oregon has recently changed, with several of our volunteers moving, getting new jobs or expanded hours in dental offices, and less retired hygienists joining our cadre. Many of our volunteers cannot meet our schedules. Solution - less staff=longer days. All children were screened as planned and 91% of children needing sealants with consent were served (some moved/absent).
We added 13 new schools to our S&S program. We conducted S&S events at 32 schools; conducted 61 school based events (did not record follow up visits and preliminary meetings); 29 community venue events; Provided preventative services to 6,047 youth.
Referred 131 youth to volunteer dentists; urgent appointments arranged within 30 days 84 children were signed up for ODS.
290 children treated in clinic; 1,943 preventative services delivered (avg: 7 preventative treatments & 122 total restorative treatments delivered).
895 (91% of 984 consented children) were sealed and 7,683 children were provided hygiene kits.