What is New?
2012 Oral Health Heroes: Save the Date
January 10th from 2:00 - 3:30* there will be an award ceremony, and tea, to recognize our 2012 oral health heroes at the Blaine House, the Governor's mansion, in Augusta.This year the Coalition is honoring two legislators, one general dentist ad a pediatric practice.
Senator Chris Rector and Representative Mark Eves for their unwavering spport for oral health in the legislature
Dr Timothy Oh for his efforts in bringing care to Washington and Hancock counties
Waterville Pediatrics for their attention to children's oral health, luoride varnish and incorporation of a dental hygienist as part of their eam. Dr Jeff Stone was a part of the From The First Tooth Phase One and continues to work with From The First Tooth as a Medical Advisor
Employers offer fluoride varnish benefit
Several large employers in Maine have included fluoride varnish in their employee health plans: MaineHealth, EMHS, MaineGeneral, Maine Education Benefits Trust, and Jackson Labs.
Several other employers are planning on adding this benefit as of January 1, 2012: Bath Iron Works, Mercy Hospital, LL Bean, Bowdoin College and Idexx.
Fluoride varnish is covered as a preventive care service at 100% of the lesser of maximum allowance or the physician's charge for children up to the age of 42 months. Fluoride varnish can be applied to the teeth of children under the age of 42 months, beginning with the eruption of the first tooth twice per calendar year.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has changed the name of the Section on Pediatric Dentistry and Oral Health. The Section will be named the Section on Oral Health, or SOOH. This change in the name better reflects the AAP's overall efforts to improve children's oral health.
The new Children's Oral Health Web Site is www.aap.org/oralhealth
RECENT JOURNAL ARTICLES AND REPORTS
Children's Oral Health in the Health Home
National Maternal and Child Oral Health Policy Center, May, 2011
Policy Statement - Early Childhood Caries in Indigenous Communities
Pediatrics, May 2011
Children's Oral Health in Maine, New Hamsphire and Vermont
Northeast Delta Dental recently published a report base on a phone survey of parents or caregivers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont that shows that most kids in these New England stated did not see a dentist until they were 3 years of age or older - much later than oral health experts advise.
Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice has published a special issue on pediatric dentistry covering a number of topic areas that touch upon health promotion, disease prevention and public health. This issue has been made available as open to the public. You can access the journal through the link below, just click here.
Effectiveness of Preventive Dental Treatment by Physicians for Young Medicaid Enrollees.
Bhavana, T Pahel, R. Gary Rozier et al. Abstract