School Desk to Hygienist Chair: Expanding Access to Preventative Hygiene to all Denver Students
ABSTRACT SUMMARY
This workshop will explore the process of expanding SBHC services to include oral health services at regional SBHCs. Presenters will share the administrative and operational requirements to establishing an oral health program in SBHCs as well share outcome data and case studies. Participants will learn how additional SBHC oral health services have eliminated barriers for students in Denver Public Schools.
ABSTRACT DESCRIPTION
Denver Health School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) are located in a large urban school district, Denver Public Schools (DPS), where dental caries is prevalent. More than half of the school-age children in DPS qualify for free and reduced lunch (FRL). Given the low household income required to qualify for FRL, it is commonly used as an indicator of poverty. Poverty has been associated with poor access to oral health care in many studies, as well as a lack of oral health education, prevention, and restoration. Providing preventative oral healthcare for this vulnerable population where they spend time – in school – and regardless of their ability to pay greatly increases their use of needed services.
Denver Health has 16 SBHCs located throughout DPS. These sites have provided comprehensive medical and mental health services but have not historically provided preventative oral health services beyond an oral health screening. In 2013, DH SBHCs received generous funding to buy a portable hygienist suite to expand into a more comprehensive hygienist visit including a prophylaxis and dental x-rays at the Regional SBHCs. The three Regional SBHCs have expanded access to all DPS students with two of the clinics open year round. The portable hygienist suite rotates to the three regional SBHCs throughout the year, returning to each site within six months. This model now offers DPS students access to free, preventative oral health services as well as assistance in navigating and eliminating barriers to accessing restorative care.
This workshop will go into the details of expanding SBHC services to include oral health. We will discuss the administrative requirements such as consent development, initial funding needs, financial sustainability, dental oversight, and dental home establishment. The workshop will then go into operational detail including equipment and supplies, staff trainings and requirements, restorative care, and working with the all SBHC providers. The workshop will also present visit data and outcomes as well as present various case studies supporting the need for expanded oral health services in SBHCs.
PRESENTER(S)
NAME: Audrey Hoener MM ORGANIZATION: Denver Health School and Community Programs NAME: Michelle Casias RDH, BS ORGANIZATION: Denver Health School and Community Programs
AUDIENCE
ADMINISTRATORS: Y
PRIMARY HEALTH: Y
MENTALHEALTH: N
ORGANIZATIONAL: N
PUBLIC HEALTH: N
EDUCATION: Y
YOUTH: N
Technical
issues should be directed to Deirdre Taylor via email: dtaylor@sbh4all.org
or Telephone: (202) 638-5872, ext. 204
