McDowell Partnership for Children receives grant to expand Preschool Dental Program to Rutherford and Polk counties
The Healthy Smiles program will receive nearly $500K over 3 years to provide dental health services for at-risk preschoolers in Rutherford and Polk counties.
The McDowell County Partnership for Children has received a federal grant from the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) to provide a Preschool Dental Program for McDowell, Rutherford and Polk counties. The three-year grant totaling $446,759 will expand on an existing program of The McDowell Hospital and the McDowell Health Department, which is coming to an end. Five percent will be matched with cash and in-kind funds.
The project, called Healthy Smiles, will decrease the number of children entering kindergarten with untreated tooth decay. According to the most recent figures reported by the NC Oral Health Section, nearly one third of children in these counties enter kindergarten with untreated tooth decay.
“We are excited to receive funding for three additional years in McDowell and expand on the success of the hospital’s program by serving children in Rutherford and Polk counties,” said Partnership Executive Director Caroline Rodier. “We hope to replicate the results of the current grant-funded program in which we saw the number of McDowell children entering kindergarten with untreated tooth decay decline from 27% to 20% over three years.”
The project targets children enrolled in child care centers with limited oral exams and education. It also provides education and outreach to expectant mothers and the Latino community through dental screenings and education events. The project focuses on the concept of identifying and establishing young children with dental homes as an oral health prevention strategy.
Two full-time dental assistants will provide 1) early identification and case management for a dental home model, 2) targeted outreach and education for young children (ages birth to five), their parents, child care providers and expectant moms, 3) access to restorative dental services for children – birth through kindergarten, and 4) increase in the use of fluoride varnishing. A contracted dentist from Mission Children’s Dental Program will assist with dental screenings in child care centers and at community events.
The Dental Home is supported by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association as a best practice. It builds upon three evidence-based strategies for dental health, which include fluoridation of drinking water, fluoride varnishing and sealant projects. The Healthy Smiles project is similar to the Carolina Dental Home promising-practice model, but targets children in child care settings instead of through primary care practices.
An estimated 965 children will receive access to new and expanded programs and services, including limited oral exams, assistance with Medicaid enrollment, case management for establishing a dental home, and restorative dental services if needed through the grant-funded project.
| Kindergarten Children with Untreated Tooth Decay | 2003-2004 | 2004-2005 | 2005-2006 | 2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
| McDowell County | 33% | 30% | 32% | 32% | 30% | 27% | 21% | 20% |
| Rutherford County | 31% | 33% | 32% | 30% | 33% | 27% | 24% | |
| Polk County | 38% | 33% | 38% | 30% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 22% |
| North Carolina | 23% | 25% | 23% | 21% | 18% | 17% | ||
| United States | 24% | 24% | 24% | 24% | 24% | 24% | 24% | 24% |
Data for North Carolina, Rutherford, Polk, and McDowell counties is from the NC Oral Health Section. Data is not yet available for FY 2009-2010 or 2010-2011. The data shown above for Rutherford, Polk, and McDowell Counties has been provided by the NC Oral Health Section hygienists who conduct screenings in those counties. National data was provided by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/NIH, 1999-2004 (http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/).
Contact: Caroline Rodier, Executive Director
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families
70 N. Main Street
Marion, NC 28752
caroline@mcdsmartstart.org
828-659-2462
www.mcdowellpartnership-smartstart.org
