Oral Health in

Head Start

What do the Performance Standards say?

Prevention is Key

• Preventive dental services and treatment are designed to ensure that a child’s teeth and gums are healthy, and that dental health problems do not affect a child’s overall health

Determining Child Health Status

1034.20(a)

• Determine if the child has a Dental “home”

• Obtain from a health (dental) care professional a determination as to whether the child is up-to-date according to the state EPSDT periodicity schedule

Begin with an Examination

Arkansas EPSDT regulations:

Routine Dental referrals are made at:• 6 – 9 months• 12 – 15 months• 18 – 24 months• Thereafter at each EPSDT screening

In Arkansas

Children 12 months or over are eligible for periodic

dental exams twice a year

AR Kids 1st enrollees

• Newborn to 12 months are eligible for one dental screen

• 12 months to 21 years are eligible for one dental screen and one prophylaxis/fluoride every 150 days

Dental Follow-up & Treatment

1304.20(c)(3)(i) & (ii)

• Fluoride supplements and/or fluoride treatments

• Other necessary preventative measures recommended by the Dentist

• Further dental treatment as recommended by the Dentist

Dental Hygiene

1304.23(b)(3)

Staff must promote effective dental hygiene among children

in conjunction with meals

Dental Hygiene

Effective dental hygiene practices vary according to the developmental level and age of the child.

The Head Start Performance Standards provide a listing of strategies to promote effective dental hygiene

Dental Hygiene

For most pre-school aged children, teacher demonstration, modeling and verbal encouragement, along with daily opportunities to practice toothbrushing are the most effective strategies.

On going Care

1304.20(d)

Implement ongoing procedures by which Head Start/EHS staff can identify new or recurring dental concerns, so they may quickly make appropriate referrals

Individualization

1304.20(f)(1)

Staff use multiple sources of information to individualize the program for each child

• Screening results• Observations• Parental consultation• Medical/Dental evaluations & treatment

Health Emergency Procedures

1304.22(a)

Programs must establish and implement policies & procedures to respond to medical & dental emergencies

Staff must be trained and familiar with these policies & procedures

Educating Children

1304.21(c)(1)(III)

Staff must integrate all aspects of medical and dental health, nutrition and mental wellness into the program activities

Parent Involvement

1304.40(f)(1) & (2)

Programs must provide a variety of educational opportunities which include Medical, Dental, Nutrition, and Mental Health information

for Staff, Parents & Families

Parent Involvement1304.40(f)(2)(i)

The Health and Dental education program must assist parents in:

• Understanding how to enroll & participate in a system of ongoing family health care, which include medical, dental, nutrition & mental wellness

Parent Involvement1304.40(f)(2)(ii)

The Health and Dental education program must encourage parents to:

• Become active partners in their child’s medical and dental health care process

• Accompany their child to examinations and follow-up appointments

Parent Involvement

1304.40(f)(2)(iii)

The Health and Dental education program must provide parents with:

• Opportunities to learn principles of preventative medical & dental health

• Information specific to the health/dental needs of their child & family

Community Partnerships

1304.41(a)(2)(i)

The program must take affirmative steps to establish ongoing collaborative relationships with:

• Health care providers such as clinics, physicians, dentists, and other health care professionals

Community Partnerships

1304.41(b)

The program must establish and maintain a Health Services Advisory Committee which

includes parents, professionals and other

volunteers from the community

Human Resources Management

1304.52(a)(2)(ii)

Agencies must ensure that that certain management functions are formally assigned to and adopted by staff within the program

• Management of health services including child medical, dental, mental health and nutrition

Keep those smiles healthy

and bright!