Mission: To prevent oral disease and improve overall health. We do this through innovative programs and policies that produce permanent changes in the health environment so that over the long-term oral disease is prevented
Funding: Delta Dental of Washington - a non profit dental benefits company committed to improving oral health
Nationally:Nearly 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has untreated tooth decayNearly 1 in 2 adults has periodontal disease (increases with age)
Washington:Nearly 40% of adults have had a tooth extracted due to disease1 in 5 adults over age 55 report a dental issue that needs treatment within the next monthAmong low-income seniors, this jumps to nearly 1 in 3.
Good Home Care – Brushing and FlossingFluoride (can reverse early decay)Dental VisitsAddressing health issues (diabetes, dry mouth)Nutrition/Snacking habits
Time on Teeth mattersnormal meals vs. snacking/grazing
The bacteria that causes cavities can be spread from mother to child, usually in the first two years of life. GOAL: Improve pregnant women’s oral health to help prevent their babies from getting cavities
Prevent the spread of bacteria from mother to child
Engage mothers at a time they are especially receptive about caring for their babies
Strategies:Motivate and train dentists to serve pregnant women
Engage prenatal medical care providers in addressing oral health
Engage community based organizations in identifying and referring (WIC, home visiting)
• WHAT: Address the oral health of • school age children (6–18) in • School Based Health Centers (SBHC)
• WHY: As children age they:• Access dental care less often; • Have increased rates of decay.• In-school clinics remove barriers to care – children missing school or parents missing
work to attend appointments• ACA funds expansion; number of schools with on-site clinics growing
• HOW: Teach medical providers in school clinics to address oral health - educate, screen, and refer.
• WHAT: Improve the oral health of “hard-to-reach” populations by training community health workers (CHW) to address oral health
• WHY: An evidence-based approach that improves health outcomes of “hard-to-reach” groups with poor oral health outcomes; ACA funds and numbers expanding
• HOW: Train Community Health Workers • to address oral health with the communities• they serve
BenefitsCatch disease early, early treatment = reduced cost of care, improved outcomesHelp patients understand the connection between poor oral health and other chronic diseases
Reduce dental-related ER visits Reduce medical costs (e.g. savings from reduced diabetes care)Increase access to preventive oral health care for those not receiving dental care
Fewer than 1 in 5 participants knew that:• Most children in Washington start kindergarten without any cavities• A parent can pass bacteria to their children by sharing eating utensils.
Just over half knew:• Tooth decay can be reversed if it is caught early.• An oral health check up can reveal broader health problems such as
diabetes, cancer, and immune disorders.• Gum disease increases your risk for diabetes & that it’s linked to heart
Fewer than 1 in 5 participants knew that:• Most children in Washington start kindergarten without any cavities• A parent can pass bacteria to their children by sharing eating utensils.
Just over half knew:• Tooth decay can be reversed if it is caught early.• An oral health check up can reveal broader health problems such as
diabetes, cancer, and immune disorders.• Gum disease increases your risk for diabetes & that it’s linked to heart
Dental Visits: Valued for Kids, But Not Always Adults• Nearly everyone expressed strong agreement that it is important
for children to see a dentist regularly, even if parents didn’tregularly get dental care.
• Adults who get regular dental care universally saw their owndental visits as important. Non doers were mixed: Some agreed itis important but faced barriers, while others downplayed itsimportance for them.“As long as I can take care of my kids, it’sreally all I care about at the moment. I knoweventually I’ll have to take care of myself, butI can’t afford to do it right now.”
Non doer/Uninsured
“I don’t have any problems with myteeth… I went to the dentist in themilitary, and then 15 years later when Ihad my son and I’m good.”
Increase public awareness of the value of oral health
Target Audience: Adults 25+
Position oral health as essential part of overall healthConnect oral health with issues people care about: fitness, beauty, saving moneyFrame it as easy, important and cost-effectivePresent new, surprising information Be fun and informative, not “preachy”
