Still, experience has shown that coverage does not always translate to care. At a time when the percentage of low-income children with dental coverage increased from 18 percent to 41 percent, dental visits by children under the age of six increased from 21 percent to only 25 percent.1 Additionally, the prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth of children aged two to four years increased from 18% in 1988 – 1994 to 24% in 1999 – 2004.2 Sadly, widespread disparities by income, race, and ethnicity persist.3 During trying economic times, it’s reasonable to expect that as the percentage of children who are poor and minority increases, these disparities will not only persist but will increase as well.4 So, while expanded access to dental coverage is something to celebrate, the job of linking covered children to dental care will remain a challenge. Thankfully, steps are being taken to help make this access a reality.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is partnering with Head Start at the national, regional, state, and local levels to develop a national network of dentists, to link Head Start Children with dental homes. Head Start programs, which serve more than 900,000 low income children, are required to work with parents to assess children’s dental needs and to assist them with obtaining needed care. This requirement is one of many for which Head Start workers are responsible.
To help Head Start accomplish the goal of placing children with a dentist who can care for them in a comprehensive and continuous way, the AAPD is working with regional consultants and state-level leaders to form a national network of pediatric dentists and general dentists. This network will provide quality dental homes for Head Start and Early Head Start children, train teams of dentists and Head Start personnel in optimal oral health care practices, and assist Head Start programs in obtaining comprehensive services to meet the full range of Head Start children’s oral health needs. The partnership also provides parents, caregivers, and Head Start staff with the latest evidence-based information on how they can help prevent tooth decay and establish a foundation for a lifetime of oral health.
The Delta Dental Plans Association and its member companies, providing dental coverage to more than 54 million Americans, is also partnering with Head Start to help meet the oral health needs of children. For the past two years, Delta Dental has provided Cavity-Free Kids training at the National Head Start Association annual teachers’ meeting. These “train-the-trainer” sessions were designed to send Head Start professionals back to their communities armed with proven educational materials created specifically for them. Delta Dental companies also support Head Start at the state level throughout the country through grants, educational training, and direct dental care.
Additionally, in 2009, Delta Dental companies donated more than $40 million to support safety net programs such as mobile dental units that visit schools in underserved areas, schoolbased dental clinics and sealant programs, charity dental clinics, Give Kids a Smile® programs, and programs aimed at increasing the supply of dentists, such as school loan repayment programs and dental school scholarships.
While health care reform will mean new coverage options for children, if historical trends continue, we know that access to care for the poor will remain a challenge. That’s why Delta Dental Plans Association and its member companies remain committed to supporting programs that link children, and adults, to the care they need.
Source: Delta Dental Plans Association
1 Edelstein BL, Chinn CH. Update on disparities in oral health and access to dental care for America’s children. In Academic Pediatrics 2009;9:415-419. 2 Academic Pediatrics 2009;9:388-95. 3 Tomar SL, Reeves AF. Changes in the oral health of U.S. children and adolescents and dental public health infrastructure since the release of the Healthy People 2010 objectives. In Acad Pediatr 2009;9:396-403. 4 Edelstein BL. Disparities in oral health and access to care: findings of national surveys. Ambul Pediatr. 2002;2(suppl):141-147. In Acad Pediatr 2009;9:415.