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Sadie and Harry Davis Foundation "From the First Tooth" Oral
Health Program Evaluation
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Purpose/Goals: |
Oral health is a
major problem in rural states such as Maine affected by poverty,
inadequate or missing insurance, and uneven distribution of
dental professionals. From the 2004 Maine Child Health Survey,
15% of kindergarten children screened had untreated dental decay
and 11% had never had a dental visit. From the First Tooth’s
objective is to significantly increase the number of Maine
children who receive preventive oral health care (oral health
assessment, fluoride varnish treatments, education of their
primary caregiver about good oral health practices) during
primary medical care visits between birth and 42 months of age.
From the First Tooth’s approach, which is endorsed by the
Maine Dental Association, seeks to integrate early prevention
oral health services into medical and social service settings
that care for very young children. During Phase One
(two-year pilot: 2008 and 2009), a diverse group of medical
providers throughout Maine is being funded to receive training,
deliver services, and participate in an evaluation and a
learning collaborative with other program participants to
identify successes and challenges. Phase One aims to serve
up to 3,500 children each year, which will represent
approximately 10% of Maine children in the target age group. The
Maine Center for Public Health is conducting the evaluation
component. |
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Funder: |
Sadie and Harry
Davis Foundation |
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Relevant Links: |
http://fromthefirsttooth.org/ |
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