| Educational Materials for Health Professionals
Dental disease is the most prevalent infectious disease among children in the United States. More than 40 percent of children have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten. In 2007, only 3 percent of Ohio Medicaid-eligible children 3 years of age and under received any dental services through Medicaid. During that same year, 78 percent of these children received either an initial or periodic health screen through a primary care physician. Because primary care providers are more likely than dentists to see very young, high-risk children, it makes sense to educate and train primary care providers on the risk of early childhood caries.
The Bureau of Oral Health Services (BOHS) has developed a number of oral health education materials for training nondental health care professionals in oral health risk assessment and other aspects of oral health.
Smiles for Ohio--Fluoride Varnish Manual for Primary Care Providers provides information to physicians, nurses and other health professionals about the use of fluoride varnish to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride varnish is a very effective way to provide the benefits of fluoride to children at high risk for decay. In Ohio, the application of fluoride varnish is now a reimbursable procedure through Medicaid. The training is provided by BOHS staff and the materials are available to health professionals at no charge.
Guidelines for Oral Health Screening in Ohio's Schools provides practical guidance for school nurses who choose to conduct school-based oral health screening. School-based oral health screening is optional in Ohio. The decision to do a screening should be based on an assessment of school and community dental resources available for referring students for oral health care. Conducting an oral screening in school is an opportunity to emphasize the importance of regular oral health care and examination by a dentist.
The guidelines include a training DVD (Part 1 and Part 2) and a full color pocket reference guide. Printed copies of the materials are available to Ohio school nurses by submitting a completed order form to BOHS.
Help Me Smile: Risk Assessment, Protocols, Training Modules and Educational Materials for Use with Families with Children provides professionals working in a home-based capacity with protocols, modules and educational materials to promote proper oral health practices for families and children. It is divided into the following sections: adult/caregiver; infant; toddler; early childhood; school age; and adolescent. It is available at no charge from the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (NMCOHRC).
A complete list of other training and resource materials for medical professionals interested in oral health risk assessment training can be accessed at the NMCOHRC Web site.
Oral Care Basics for Caregivers is a 21-minute instructional video/DVD and booklet for direct-care providers in group homes, nursing homes or home-care settings and can be purchased for $6.
The Dental First Aid Chart outlines procedures for administering dental first aid following a head or mouth injury.
In addition to these items, please visit Educational Materials for the Public to learn about fact sheets and other resources to use when providing guidance to patients on oral health topics.
Last Updated: 03/09/09
Last Reviewed: 08/10/09
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