Fall 2023 Issue

Your quarterly children’s oral health newsletter for Snohomish County, provided by the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) Program. Stay informed of program updates and learn about promoting children’s oral health with patients, clients, and families

Application of dental sealant

Parent Bite

About School Sealant Programs

If you’re a parent, it’s likely that your child has, at one point, brought home a school sealant program consent form. Schools screen students for several health indicators, like vision and hearing, so it can be confusing and potentially overwhelming to receive yet another form to sign. So, what exactly are school sealant programs and why are they important?

While each program may be executed differently, a school-based sealant program will provide dental sealants free of charge to students, using portable dental equipment in a school setting. Dental sealants are thin but durable plastic coatings applied to the surfaces of the molars (back teeth). Sealants are slippery, which makes it harder for plaque that causes cavities to stick to the teeth.

Usually, the sealant program will take place over the course of 1-3 days and will prioritize students between the ages of 6-11. In addition to applying sealants, the licensed dental professional will screen for oral disease and facilitate a dental referral if needed. Sealants are 100% safe and have been used for over 40 years because of their effectiveness in preventing decay.

Why are school sealants programs important?

Cavities (dental decay) are the most common chronic disease among children. Sealants have been proven to prevent more than 80% of dental decay in children, which reduces the need for fillings and other more expensive and invasive treatments.

School sealant programs promote health equity. Because families with lower income levels face disproportionate barriers to dental and other types of essential care, most state and local programs will focus on schools with higher rates of children eligible for free or reduced meal programs. By addressing transportation and cost barriers, school sealant programs are an excellent way to reach children from low-income families who may be at greater risk of cavity development.

To learn more, visit the CDC’s website on school sealant programs.

Healthy Equity Bite: Expanding Access with Dental Therapists
Dental therapy may be one way to close oral health equity gaps in Washington’s rural and tribal communities.

As licensed mid-level providers (similar to physician assistants), dental therapists can perform some of the most common preventive and restorative procedures, such as fillings, placing temporary crowns, and extracting loose teeth. Dental therapists also perform community outreach and health education work among communities that may be distrustful of medical and dental providers.

Dental therapy first emerged as a profession in New Zealand during the 1920s. Health officials developed the new profession as a response to high rates of untreated tooth decay among children. In the early 2000s, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium brought the dental therapy training model to the U.S.

Until this May, Washington-based dental therapists were only authorized to practice on federally designated tribal lands. However, legislation was passed this year to authorize the expansion of dental therapists into Federally Qualified Community Health Centers (FQHCs) across Washington. FQHCs are designed to serve people who face higher rates of health challenges.

Employing dental therapists to take on simpler procedures, like a chipped tooth, could increase dentists’ capacity to address more severe oral problems and decrease wait times. Dr. Ray Dailey, a dentist in the Swinomish Dental Clinic, said in a Seattle Times article that since having a dental therapist on staff, “...the clinic is now able to schedule same-week, if not same-day, appointments — compared with four- to five-month waits in the past.”

According to Health Care Authority data, nearly 1 quarter of adults in Snohomish County do not have dental insurance, and many who have Apple Health may not realize that they do have a dental benefit. Hiring dental therapists in FQHCs and other community settings may increase capacity, increase access, and improve oral health outcomes.

Dental Provider Training Bite

Attention Providers! Take UW’s DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion Act Compliance Course

Dentists have an important role to play in the recovery of patients living with substance use disorder. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has issued a requirement for a one-time 8-hour training “on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders.” This recorded, self-paced course will cover pharmacological management of dental pain and screening, intervention, and referral for appropriate OUD/SUD treatment. The training is $160 and 4 CDE credits. Register here!

Dental Care Resouce Bite

Increased Medicaid Dental Benefit for People with Diabetes

Beginning in January 2024, Medicaid will cover an increased number of periodontal maintenance procedures per year, from 1 to 4. Why is this important? Periodontal disease (gum disease) and diabetes have a bi-directional relationship:

High blood sugar increases the risk of gum disease
Gum disease makes it difficult to control blood sugars

Regular periodontal maintenance for people with diabetes can improve glucose levels, reduce risk of other diabetes-related complications, and cut healthcare costs.

Community Collaboration Bite

Fall ABCD Training

On September 12th, about 10 providers participated in a virtual ABCD certification training with Dr. Paul Kahlon, ABCD Champion for Snohomish County. This was a special training, organized in collaboration with the King County ABCD Program.

Are you a provider looking to get ABCD-certified? Email Brittany, ABCD Coordinator, to learn about upcoming training opportunities at brittany.bevis-sciuto@co.snohomish.wa.us.

Phase III (providing compassionate dental care for children with special health care needs) is available for those who completed Phase I. This is an asynchronous training that takes about an hour. Click THIS link to get started!

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