STUDIES & ARTICLES (Supporting Mobile Denistry)
More Low-Income Kids Need Dental Sealants (CDC) Report
| cdc-more_low-income_kids_need_dental_sealants.pdf |
Many States Slow in Offering Dental Sealant Programs for At-Risk Children
| states_slow_in_offering_dental_sealant_programs.pdf |
States with Best & Worst Dental Health
Read full CDC study by clicking HERE
(MS is 51st as of February 2021)
(MS is 51st as of February 2021)
Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (Cochrane Library) Research
Background:
Topically-applied fluoride varnishes have been used extensively as an operator-applied caries-preventive intervention for over three decades. This review updates the first Cochrane review of fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents, which was first published in 2002.
Objectives:
To determine the effectiveness and safety of fluoride varnishes in preventing dental caries in children and adolescents, and to examine factors potentially modifying their effect.
Topically-applied fluoride varnishes have been used extensively as an operator-applied caries-preventive intervention for over three decades. This review updates the first Cochrane review of fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents, which was first published in 2002.
Objectives:
To determine the effectiveness and safety of fluoride varnishes in preventing dental caries in children and adolescents, and to examine factors potentially modifying their effect.
| cochrane-caries_prevention_in_children.pdf |
Children's Dental Health Disparities (PEW Research Center) Research/Article
Low-income, minority, and rural children suffer disproportionally from problems with dental health and access to care. This article shows that school-based sealant programs allow states to provide more children with the critical preventive dental care they need and often cannot access. Click on the PDF of this article to see the research which shows that nationwide, these children are more likely to have unmet dental needs and face barriers to care.
| pew-childrens_dental_health_disparities.pdf |
"Every Smile Counts" The Oral Health of MS Children (MS State Dept. of Oral Health) Study
Below you will see the "Every Smile Counts" study that was performed by the Mississippi State Department of Health - Oral Health Department (2009-2010). This study, performed by the top oral healthcare professionals in MS, takes a look at the oral health of school-aged children (3rd graders) in Mississippi. These findings are the exact reasons MHS Mobile Dental is providing a school-based program. If you take a look at the Key Findings you will see why there is such a need. And if you look at the Key Strategies, they call for more access to dental care and "school-based" programs like ours. Please review the entire study below.
| msdh-every_smile_counts.pdf |
School-Based Sealant Programs: Worth The Cost (PEW Research Center) Article
Updated data on school-based dental sealant programs finds that these initiatives can significantly reduce tooth decay in young children and lower costs to taxpayers when used in high-need schools. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among U.S. children and dental care is one of the nation’s greatest unmet children’s health needs.
| pew-sealants-cost_effective_way_to_improve_childrens_oral_health.pdf |
Federal Dental Health Strategy (PEW Research Center) Study
A new federal government plan, which lists partnerships and strategies needed to address persistent dental health disparities in the U.S., states that access to care is one of the greatest unmet oral health needs in the nation. The proposal serves as a call to action for federal agencies, the private sector, and other partners to reduce this and other barriers to improved dental health for the underserved. The plan cites dental sealants as an effective strategy to help prevent decay, and it calls on stakeholders to promote school-based sealant programs that target low-income children. Publish date March 14, 2016.
| pew-federal_dental_health_strategy.pdf |
The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) Cover Article/Study
Preventing dental carries through school based sealant programs
This November 2009 Study, presented in JADA, show results that say "the evidence supports to seal sound surfaces and noncavitated lesions, to use visual assessment to detect surface cavitation, to use toothbrush or handpiece prophylaxis to clean tooth surfaces, and to provide sealants to children even is follow-up can not be ensured." See the full abstract below.
This November 2009 Study, presented in JADA, show results that say "the evidence supports to seal sound surfaces and noncavitated lesions, to use visual assessment to detect surface cavitation, to use toothbrush or handpiece prophylaxis to clean tooth surfaces, and to provide sealants to children even is follow-up can not be ensured." See the full abstract below.
| jada-preventing_dental_carries_school-based_programs.pdf |
Campaign for Oral Health Equity (Oral Health America) Fact Sheet
This FACT SHEET shows some of the glaring disparities in oral health care. It also states, "Because schools are an ideal place to reach children, they can play a pivotal role in impacting health. School-based dental sealant programs are an evidence-based public health best practice approach for preventing tooth decay among children, especially those at highest risk. iii,iv School-based sealant programs have been associated with reducing the incidence of tooth decay by 40 - 60 percent. See the fact sheet below.
| oha-factsheet-campaign_oh_equity.pdf |
The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) Cover Article/Study
A model for extending the reach of the traditional dental clinic
Below is a cover story form August 2008 in the JADA Continuing Education publication. The authors describe and evaluate the short-term effectiveness of a community-based program for dental carries prevention in children. Their report's conclusion was that these results indicate that this care model relatively quickly can overcome multiple barriers to care and improve children's oral health. See the entire article below.
Below is a cover story form August 2008 in the JADA Continuing Education publication. The authors describe and evaluate the short-term effectiveness of a community-based program for dental carries prevention in children. Their report's conclusion was that these results indicate that this care model relatively quickly can overcome multiple barriers to care and improve children's oral health. See the entire article below.
| jada-model_extending_reach_of_traditional_dental_practice.pdf |
The State of Children's Dental Health (PEW Research Center) Study
In the conclusion for this study, it states: as Medicaid rolls grow, states must do much more to improve children’s access to care, particularly by strengthening preventive care efforts and broadening the pool of providers. Moreover, states must reduce the need for costly restorative treatments and the other effects of poor dental health by investing in proven low cost preventive strategies, such as school-based sealant programs and community water fluoridation. Children’s dental care is about more than simple cavities. One in seven elementaryvschool children ages six to 12 suffers from a toothache, which can affect a child’s concentration, school attendance and academic achievement.37 Dental problems can lead to lifelong health challenges and difficulties finding and holding a job. With many states facing long-term challenges to keep their budgets balanced, policy makers should prioritize investments that provide real savings to taxpayers down the road. Some states are leading the way by making modest investments that will pay off in the years to come for children, families, states and the nation as a whole. These investments will help states improve access to dental care, reduce future Medicaid costs and build a healthier future for their children
| pew-the_state_of_childrens_dental_health.pdf |
Pew Study Shows Little Progress on Proven Oral Health Strategy (press release - April 23, 2015)
States are slow to adopt policies to expand dental sealant programs in schools. This PEW study references a Pew Charitable Trust report "States Stalled on Dental Sealant Programs" which said School sealant programs have been found to reduce the incidence of tooth decay by an average of 60 percent, yet Pew’s report reveals that most states are underperforming on this critical opportunity to improve children’s health. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to emergency room visits, hospitalization, and even death. Despite the compelling evidence on cost efficiency and prevention effectiveness, a survey conducted between 2011 and 2012 found that only four out of ten U.S. children aged 6 to 19 had even one sealant.
"It's a cost-effective, evidence-based prevention program that every state should make a priority," said Jane Koppelman, research director for children’s dental policy at the Pew Charitable Trusts. "But unfortunately, they are not doing so. The results, in addition to higher health care costs, are needless pain and infection among children who do not receive care." The press release is shown below.
"It's a cost-effective, evidence-based prevention program that every state should make a priority," said Jane Koppelman, research director for children’s dental policy at the Pew Charitable Trusts. "But unfortunately, they are not doing so. The results, in addition to higher health care costs, are needless pain and infection among children who do not receive care." The press release is shown below.
| pew-press_release_states_stalled.pdf |
States Stalled on Dental Sealant Programs (PEW Research Center) Report
As you will see in the breakdown of benchmarks and grades by state, Mississippi graded a "D" in 2012 and a "D" again in 2014. The conclusion of the report was, school sealant programs have been found to reduce the incidence of tooth decay by an average of 60 percent, yet the findings in this report reveal that most states are under performing on this critical opportunity to improve children’s health. While some states have made strides since 2012, the majority of states still lack sealant programs in their high-need schools and fail to reach even half of third-graders with this preventive service. Based on Pew’s analysis of the surveys, most states are failing to enact policies that provide sealants to low income and at-risk children. While several states have made improvements in delivering dental sealants to low-income children over the past two years, the study found that most states are not meeting national goals.
| pew-states_stalled_dental_sealant_-report.pdf |
2014 State Sealant Report (PEW Research Center)
Mississippi received a grade of "D" in this 2014 report.
| pew-ms_report_2014.pdf |
Mississippi Oral Health Program (MS State Dept. of Health) State Program
Below you will find the State of Mississippi's oral health program that was implemented in 2010. This program was taken directly from the Mississippi State Department of Health - Oral Health website as of February 2016. Ironically, we started our school-based program right about the same time that this program was implemented. MHS Mobile Dental agrees 100% with their findings and efforts and supports the State's oral health plan. We agree with their program where it lists "school-based preventative dental sealants" as one of their points of improving oral healthcare in Mississippi.
| msdh-state_oral_health_program.pdf |
Mississippi's State Oral Health Plan 2006-2010 (MS State Dept of Health) State Plan
This state of Mississippi Oral Health Plan was the plan to be implemented by the MS State Department of Health and the Governor's office. If you scroll to the first page of the plan and look at the Mississippi Governor's official letter regarding this plan, you will see the call for "school-based prevention programs", "increasing access", and "fluoridation programs". MHS Dental is meeting all these important steps in improving the oral healthcare of the state of Mississippi.
| msdh-ms_oral_health_plan_06-10.pdf |
States where the most people go to the dentist (USA Today) Article
Douglas A. McIntyre, 24/7 Wall St. 1:32 p.m. EDT May 3, 2014
Clean teeth are supposed to be good for heart health, and a way to avoid dentures and to avoid the drilling, which comes with cavities as well. Some people are more willing to go to the dentist than others. It turns out that this varies wildly by state and region. A new Gallup poll shows that states in the Northeast are the ones where residents are most likely to have visited a dentist in the past 12 months. States in the South are where people are least likely to.
In detail: For the third year in a row, Connecticut residents were the most likely to say they visited a dentist in the last 12 months. It is one of only three states, the others being Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where nearly three in four residents visited a dentist. Just over half of the residents in Mississippi say the same, coming in last for dental care among the 50 states.
Gallup's conclusion about the differences among states and regions is almost obvious. People who live in poorer states are less likely to have the money to visit health care professionals. They are also less likely to be insured. The research organization speculates that enrollment in insurance programs because of the Affordable Care Act may allow more people to visit dentists. The states where the largest & Fewest percentage of people visited a dentist in the past 12 months:
Clean teeth are supposed to be good for heart health, and a way to avoid dentures and to avoid the drilling, which comes with cavities as well. Some people are more willing to go to the dentist than others. It turns out that this varies wildly by state and region. A new Gallup poll shows that states in the Northeast are the ones where residents are most likely to have visited a dentist in the past 12 months. States in the South are where people are least likely to.
In detail: For the third year in a row, Connecticut residents were the most likely to say they visited a dentist in the last 12 months. It is one of only three states, the others being Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where nearly three in four residents visited a dentist. Just over half of the residents in Mississippi say the same, coming in last for dental care among the 50 states.
Gallup's conclusion about the differences among states and regions is almost obvious. People who live in poorer states are less likely to have the money to visit health care professionals. They are also less likely to be insured. The research organization speculates that enrollment in insurance programs because of the Affordable Care Act may allow more people to visit dentists. The states where the largest & Fewest percentage of people visited a dentist in the past 12 months:
|
LARGEST %:
• Connecticut (74.9%) • Massachusetts (74.5%) • Rhode Island (73.8%) • Alaska (72.6%) • Wisconsin (72.4%) • Minnesota (71.9%) • North Dakota (71.4%) • Utah (71.4%) • Delaware (70.9%) • South Dakota (70.7%). |
FEWEST %:
• Mississippi (53.0%) ***Last*** • Oklahoma (55.2%) • Louisiana (55.2%) • Arkansas (56.1%) • Texas (56.3%) • West Virginia (56.6%) • Tennessee (56.9%) • Kentucky (58.6%) • Missouri (59.0%) • Arizona (59.3%) |
Oral Health & Learning (National Child & Oral Health Resource Center) Study
This study is from the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center at Georgetown University in Washington DC. In the last paragraph under programs and policies for improving oral health, they say that "school-based oral health services can increase access to preventative services such as fluoride and dental sealant application for children and adolescents from families with low income.
| oral_health___learning-childrens_oral_health.pdf |
The Dental Divide (American Dental Association) Study
This ADA study shows stats that back up reasons for school-based programs such as MHS Mobile Dental. Of low income Americans, 48% haven't seen a dentist in a year or more and only 47% have a "regular" family dentist. You can see some of the highlights of the "Dental Divide in America" study below.
| ada-dental_divide_in_america.pdf |
In Search of Dental Care (PEW Research Center) Study
Lack of access for low income children is a reason our program has been so successful. This study lists the ten states with the worst dentist shortages. Mississippi ranked dead last nationwide in state with dentist shortages with the percent of population that is underserved being 36.3%*. The conclusion from this study show that for the children in need of routine dental care, the picture is sobering. More than 14 million low-income children did not see a dentist in 2011.49 Many of them live in areas confirmed to have a shortage of dentists or a shortage of dentists who participate in Medicaid. In the next year, millions of additional children will receive coverage through the Affordable Care Act and will enter a dental care system that does not deliver services to all those currently insured, whether through private or public coverage. Though some states have bolstered Medicaid reimbursement rates and streamlined paperwork requirements, neither of these strategies is likely to significantly improve low-income children’s access to care. Unless states take steps to expand the dental workforce, the shortage of providers in many areas of the country and for low income children will not only persist, but will grow worse in the coming years. See the full study below. (*references sited in study)
| pew-in_search_of_dental_care.pdf |
The Tangible Benefits of School-Based Dental Care (The Children's Aid Society) Article
This 2014 article starts with this paragraph:
-Poor oral health can lead not only to attendance and academic problems but also to other serious health issues. “Dental care in school-based settings brings tangible benefits because it is often the only access to preventive dentistry services a child from a low-income family may have,” said Adria Cruz, director of school-based health centers (SBHC) for The Children’s Aid Society.
-Poor oral health can lead not only to attendance and academic problems but also to other serious health issues. “Dental care in school-based settings brings tangible benefits because it is often the only access to preventive dentistry services a child from a low-income family may have,” said Adria Cruz, director of school-based health centers (SBHC) for The Children’s Aid Society.
| the_tangible_benefits_of_school_based_dental_care.pdf |
Preventing Dental Caries: School-Based Dental Sealant Delivery Programs
Task Force Finding: The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends school-based sealant delivery programs based on strong evidence of effectiveness in preventing dental caries (tooth decay) among children. This recommendation is based on evidence that shows these programs increase the number of children who receive sealants at school, and that dental sealants result in a large reduction in tooth decay among school-aged children (5 to 16 years of age). Read the full Task Force Finding and Rationale Statement for details including implementation issues, possible added benefits, potential harms, and evidence gaps.
| preventing_dental_caries_school_based_dental_sealant_delivery_programs.pdf |
Best Practice Approaches for State and Community Oral Health Programs (CDC)
Sealants prevent tooth decay and also stop cavities from growing. The Surgeon General's report on oral health indicates that sealants can reduce decay in school children by more than 70 percent.
The Scientific Evidence Shows that School-Based Sealant Programs WorkFindings from scientific studies clearly show that school dental sealant programs work to stop tooth decay.The Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends school sealant programs and issued a strong endorsement in 2001. In 2003, the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors published a Best Practice Approach Report. This report reviews the scientific evidence that school sealant programs work and presents specific examples of practices in state programs. See the "Best Practice Approach Report" below. The initial report was published in 2003 but was updated in 2015.
The Scientific Evidence Shows that School-Based Sealant Programs WorkFindings from scientific studies clearly show that school dental sealant programs work to stop tooth decay.The Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends school sealant programs and issued a strong endorsement in 2001. In 2003, the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors published a Best Practice Approach Report. This report reviews the scientific evidence that school sealant programs work and presents specific examples of practices in state programs. See the "Best Practice Approach Report" below. The initial report was published in 2003 but was updated in 2015.
| best_practices_approach-selants-update-03-2015.pdf |
The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) Study
The Effect of Dental Sealants on Bacteria Levels in Caries Lesions A Review of the Evidence
Background:
Concern about inadvertently sealing over caries often prevents dentists from providing dental sealants. The objective of the authors' review was to examine the effects of sealants on bacteria levels within caries lesions under dental sealants.
Methods:
The authors searched electronic databases for comparative studies examining bacteria levels in sealed permanent teeth. To measure the effect of sealants on bacteria levels, they used the log10 reduction in mean total viable bacteria counts (VBC) between sealed and not-sealed caries and the percentage reduction in the proportion of samples with viable bacteria.
Results:
Six studies—three randomized controlled trials, two controlled trials and one before-and-after study—were included in the analysis. Although studies varied considerably, there were no findings of significant increases in bacteria under sealants. Sealing caries was associated with a 100-fold reduction in mean total VBC (four studies, 138 samples). Sealants reduced the probability of viable bacteria by about 50.0 percent (four studies, 117 samples).
Conclusions:
The authors found that sealants reduced bacteria in carious lesions, but that in some studies, low levels of bacteria persisted. These findings do not support reported concerns about poorer outcomes associated with inadvertently sealing caries.
Clinical Implications:
Practitioners should not be reluctant to provide sealants—an intervention proven to be highly effective in preventing caries - because of concerns about inadvertently sealing over caries.
Concern about inadvertently sealing over caries often prevents dentists from providing dental sealants. The objective of the authors' review was to examine the effects of sealants on bacteria levels within caries lesions under dental sealants.
Methods:
The authors searched electronic databases for comparative studies examining bacteria levels in sealed permanent teeth. To measure the effect of sealants on bacteria levels, they used the log10 reduction in mean total viable bacteria counts (VBC) between sealed and not-sealed caries and the percentage reduction in the proportion of samples with viable bacteria.
Results:
Six studies—three randomized controlled trials, two controlled trials and one before-and-after study—were included in the analysis. Although studies varied considerably, there were no findings of significant increases in bacteria under sealants. Sealing caries was associated with a 100-fold reduction in mean total VBC (four studies, 138 samples). Sealants reduced the probability of viable bacteria by about 50.0 percent (four studies, 117 samples).
Conclusions:
The authors found that sealants reduced bacteria in carious lesions, but that in some studies, low levels of bacteria persisted. These findings do not support reported concerns about poorer outcomes associated with inadvertently sealing caries.
Clinical Implications:
Practitioners should not be reluctant to provide sealants—an intervention proven to be highly effective in preventing caries - because of concerns about inadvertently sealing over caries.
| jada-effect_of_dental_sealants_on_bacteria_levels_in_caries_lesions.pdf |
PBS: Frontline News Story
| pbs_frontline_-_dollars_and_dentists.pdf |
