Presentation Category
Research
Introduction/Context/Diagnosis
Dental decay is one of the most common, yet preventable, chronic pediatric diseases in the United States. As dental professionals, the goal is to provide a high quality of oral care for society by creating a foundation for public health in a modern health care system that disproportionately affects children and families facing obstacles to access dental care. Today, poor oral health is a primary sign of social inequality affecting populations such as Title I public schools as it is often associated with low socioeconomic status.
The objectives addressed in this literature review include Oral Health Objective-9 (OH-9), in which school-based oral health programs act as accessible, low-cost preventive care for families with limited access; Oral Health Objective-10 (OH-10) which focuses on increasing the use of dental sealants in impoverished communities and lastly, Oral Health Objective-2 (OH-2), implementation of directives to reduce the experience of active and untreated dental decay.
Methods/Treatment Plan
A literature review exploring the efficacy of a multilevel framework for school-based oral health programs as a resource to accessible care in low-income communities using systematic reviews, cohort studies and meta-analyses.
Results/Outcome
Preventive care services offered in school-based oral health programs address Oral Health Objectives of the Healthy People 2030 by increasing resources for underserved communities to access preventive oral health care.
Significance/Conclusions
The impact of school-based oral health programs focuses on increasing accessibility of preventive care in low-income communities that have been impacted by barriers in today's oral healthcare system.
Format
Event
Addressing Healthy People 2030: School-Based Oral Health Promotion
Dental decay is one of the most common, yet preventable, chronic pediatric diseases in the United States. As dental professionals, the goal is to provide a high quality of oral care for society by creating a foundation for public health in a modern health care system that disproportionately affects children and families facing obstacles to access dental care. Today, poor oral health is a primary sign of social inequality affecting populations such as Title I public schools as it is often associated with low socioeconomic status.
The objectives addressed in this literature review include Oral Health Objective-9 (OH-9), in which school-based oral health programs act as accessible, low-cost preventive care for families with limited access; Oral Health Objective-10 (OH-10) which focuses on increasing the use of dental sealants in impoverished communities and lastly, Oral Health Objective-2 (OH-2), implementation of directives to reduce the experience of active and untreated dental decay.
Comments/Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Dental Hygiene Program Director Lory Laughter, RDH, MS for providing guidance and supervision of the literature review.