Final Report Format
Follow-Up Activities to EHS/HS State/Territorial Oral Health Forum
State /Territory: Maryland
Person submitting report: Linda Zang
Activities originally proposed and how they relate to action plan (copy or summarize from
proposal with any revisions submitted after acceptance):
•
•
Train pediatricians and other health care professionals to provide oral health risk
assessment, anticipatory guidance, and early intervention at well child visits.
- The University of Maryland School of Pediatric Dentistry is offering sessions to
general dentists on serving very young children.
- A CATCH grant was received by the Maryland chapter of the American Academy
of Pediatrics (MDAAP) that enabled the initiation of efforts on Maryland’s
Eastern Shore.
- The Medicaid rate for oral health care increased.
Increase oral health literacy of parents and caregivers by increasing understanding and
knowledge of oral health
Activities accomplished: include process used, participants, partners, and significant
dates/timelines.
•
•
•
A team with representatives from MDAAP, Head Start, child care, the Early Childhood
Comprehensive Services Project, and the Office of Oral Health met from February – May
2008 to look at early childhood oral health needs in Maryland based on the 2006 Program
Information Report and the availability of early childhood health services as determined
by the Office of Oral Health.
Maryland’s Eastern Shore was selected to pilot the action plan based on the
demographics of few pediatrics dentists available, few general dentists willing to see
young children, a high rate of oral disease, and few pediatricians focused on oral health.
A meeting was held with pediatricians, general dentists, health departments, and pediatric
dentists in Easton, Maryland in May.
Bookmarks and brochures (attached) were made available through the MDAAP, health
departments, the Office of Oral Health, and Head Start programs to parents and
caregivers.
Immediate outcomes (attach any reports or other documents/materials):
•
•
As the major need identified was for parent education, the materials were highly
requested to share with the families.
Dentists and pediatricians on the Eastern Shore requested training from the University of
Maryland School of Pediatric on oral health and very young children including exams,
treatment, fluoride varnish, etc.
Additional follow-up activities planned:
•
•
The Office of Oral Health and the University Of Maryland School of Pediatric Dentistry
will provide training.
The Office of Oral Health will distribute remaining materials
Need for additional resources to accomplish other follow-up activities (please be specific)
Budget Explanation
How ASTDD Funds
Were Used
To produce parent
education materials:
Lift the Lip bookmark
Oral Health for Young
Children brochure
Other Funds Expended,
Include Source
N/A
In-Kind Support, Include
Source
N/A
Access to Dental Care
for Maryland’s Young Children
A Guide for Parents
Why is Dental Care Important?
• Dental cavities in young children can produce pain and infection, affect speech, and create crooked
teeth. Children with tooth pain have problems with learning and growing.
• Half of all Head Start children in Maryland have dental cavities.
How To Help Prevent Tooth Decay in Your Child
• Brush your child’s teeth twice daily with a smear of fluoride toothpaste.
• Look for black or brown areas on your child’s teeth when you brush them. These spots could
be signs of cavities.
• Limit the number of sugary snacks your child eats. These snacks include candy, sweet drinks
(juice, soda, milk or tea with sugar) and cookies. Sticky foods such as caramels should be
avoided.
National Head Start Standards for Dental Care
• All Head Start programs provide dental examinations for children.
• Head Start is required to refer children with dental problems for dental care and to follow up to
see if care has been received.
• Children with special health care needs must receive services addressing all health concerns.
• Child care programs are not required to follow the Head Start Standards.
What to Expect from a Dental Visit
The dentist will examine your child’s teeth, which may include taking x-rays. He may clean
your child’s teeth and apply fluoride. The dentist will discuss with you any problems that he has
found, and will either correct these problems or refer you to someone who will fix them.
Parents Need to be a Partner with the Dentist
• Talk with your child about the dentist. Explain that the dentist wants to help them take care of
their teeth.
• Be honest with your child. Let them know what is expected and try to answer their questions as
best as you can. The dentist and their staff will also talk with your child to reduce their fears.
• Never use the dentist or dental visit as a punishment.
• Be positive. Even if you do not like going to the dentist it is important not to share your feelings
with your child.
• Be on time, and try your best to keep every appointment. If you must cancel an appointment, call
the dentist’s office at least two days before
What About Dental Insurance?
If you do not have your own private dental insurance, your child may qualify for Medicaid or
Maryland Children’s Health Program (enrollment hotline: 800-456-8900 CHECK TELEPHONE
LINE). If your child is enrolled in Medicaid (HealthChoice) and you need to talk to someone
regarding dental care, contact the following agencies:
AMERIGROUP Community Care
Dental Health Providers
1-800-600-4441
Priority Partners
1-800-654-9728
MedStar Family Choice
1-888-404-3549 or 410-581-0708
The Diamond Plan
1-866-533-5154
Jai Medical Systems
1-888-524-1999
UnitedHealthcare
1-800-318-8821
Maryland Physicians Care
1-800-953-8852
How Early Childhood Staff Can Help Prevent Tooth Decay in Children
•
Help children brush using a smear of fluoridated toothpaste after eating.
•
Serve healthy and low sugar snacks.
•
Limit the frequency that sweets are consumed by children. Even frequent drinking of
100% juice has a lot of natural sugar that can harm teeth.
•
Remind parents that they also need to brush their child’s teeth and to look for black or
brown areas that could be the beginning of a cavity.
Healthy Baby Teeth
Healthy Baby Teeth
Look closely along the gum
line for white lines or
brown spots on the
front or back
of teeth.
Look closely along the gum
line for white lines or
brown spots on the
front or back
of teeth.
TO CHECK BABY’S TEETH:
♦ Lift the lip once a month.
♦ Look for early cavities—white
lines along the gum line
♦ Never put a baby to bed with
a bottle, unless it’s water.
♦ Wean from the bottle by age
12-14 months.
♦ Clean baby’s teeth daily with
a soft toothbrush or clean
washcloth.
TO CHECK BABY’S TEETH:
♦ Lift the lip once a month.
♦ Look for early cavities—white
lines along the gum line
♦ Never put a baby to bed with
a bottle, unless it’s water.
♦ Wean from the bottle by age
12-14 months.
♦ Clean baby’s teeth daily with
a soft toothbrush or clean
washcloth.
Take your child to the dentist
by age one.
Take your child to the dentist
by age one.
Lift the Lip
Lift the Lip
MILD DECAY
Chalky white lines at the gum line
May be reversed—See a dentist soon!
MILD DECAY
Chalky white lines at the gum line
May be reversed—See a dentist soon!
MODERATE DECAY
MODERATE DECAY
Looks like teeth are “melting or chipping”
See a dentist before decay gets worse.
Looks like teeth are “melting or chipping”
See a dentist before decay gets worse.
SEVERE DECAY
Must see a dentist to avoid
future damage to permanent teeth.
SEVERE DECAY
Must see a dentist to avoid
future damage to permanent teeth.
Brought to you by the Office of Oral Health,
Maryland Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene under license from the
Calgary Health Region™.
Brought to you by the Office of Oral Health,
Maryland Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene under license from the
Calgary Health Region™.
www.fha.state.md.us/oralhealth
04/08
www.fha.state.md.us/oralhealth
04/08
Dientes Saludables del Niño
Dientes Saludables del Niño
Busque manchas blancas
o marrones adelante
y atrás de los
dientes.
Busque manchas blancas
o marrones adelante
y atrás de los
dientes.
REVISAR LOS DIENTES
DEL
NIÑO:
♦ Levante el labio una vez al mes
♦ Revise la parte de arriba de los
dientes, adelante y atrás
especialmente cerca de las
encías.
♦ Nunca ponga al bebé a dormir
con el biberón – a menos que
contenga agua.
♦ Retire el biberón cuando el niño
tenga 12-14 meses de edad.
♦ Limpie los dientes del niño diario
con un cepillo suave o con una
toallita todos los días.
LLEVE AL NIÑO AL DENTISTA
A LA EDAD DE UN AÑO.
REVISAR LOS DIENTES
DEL
NIÑO:
♦ Levante el labio una vez al mes
♦ Revise la parte de arriba de los
dientes, adelante y atrás
especialmente cerca de las
encías.
♦ Jamás ponga al bebé a dormir
con el biberón– a menos que
contenga agua.
♦ Retire el biberón cuando el bebé
tenga 12-14 meses de edad.
♦ Limpie los dientes del niño diario
con un cepillo suave o con una
toallita todos los días.
LLEVE AL NIÑO AL DENTISTA
A LA EDAD DE UN AÑO.
Levante El Labio
Levante El Labio
CARIES TEMPRANAS
Manchas blancas o café
¡Vea a su dentista en seguida!
CARIES TEMPRANAS
Manchas blancas o café
¡Vea a su dentista en seguida!
CARIES MODERADAS
Lleve al niño al dentista antes
que las caries sean peores.
CARIES MODERADAS
Lleve al niño al dentista antes
que las caries sean peores.
CARIES SEVERAS
Debe ver a su dentista para evitar
el daño futuro de dientes.
CARIES SEVERAS
Debe ver a su dentista para evitar
el daño futuro de dientes.
Brought to you by the Office of Oral Health,
Maryland Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene under license from the
Calgary Health Region™.
Brought to you by the Office of Oral Health,
Maryland Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene under license from the
Calgary Health Region™.
www.fha.state.md.us/oralhealth
04/08
www.fha.state.md.us/oralhealth
04/08