MO Healthy Smiles

Kansas City MO School District Participates in PSP

Ladd Elementary School used a good variety of volunteers to activate the PSP in the school. Colleen Freeman, the parent liaison at Ladd was able to find high school volunteers with LINC (Local Investment Commission); these volunteers applied the fluoride varnish applications. Three dental hygienists served as the oral screeners. Ann Carter, a representative from the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood KS provided valuable assistance as a recorder for a screener. The Church of the Resurrection has adopted Ladd Elementary in an effort to bring various programs and supplies to the school during the school year. Over 188 children received oral screenings and 2 fluoride varnish applications at this school.

 

First Year Dental Hygiene Students Take Part In PSP

Students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene Program at the St. Louis Community College at Forest Park are introduced to Community Public Health as part of their course of study.  They are given various opportunities to apply what they have learned into practice.  By taking part in PSP, students get first hand experience in Community Public Health.  This is a wonderful way to expose them to one of the ways in which they can get involved and give back to their communities upon graduation from college.  Pictured here are the first year dental hygiene students from the St. Louis Community College Dental Hygiene Program.

Salt River Community Health Center's Dental Team Takes Part In PSP

 
Thirteen students from a small community located in Clark County in the Revere C-3 School District participated in their school's first PSP event.  Dr. Dena Ball, DDS the dentist from the Salt River Health Center's Dental Clinic, her hygienist, Jamie Perry, RDH and her two dental assistants, Jenny Palmer and Erin Billings voluntarily provided the services necessary for the Elementary School to take part in PSP. 

PSP consists of an annual oral screening, interactive dental education on proper brushing and flossing, a fluoride varnish application twice a year and a referral to a dentist for those children needing dental care.  The school has scheduled their second fluoride varnish event to take place in April.

Union Star R-II School District Participates In PSP

 

Students from the Union Star Elementary School smile happily after having a dental screening, provided by a local dentist, and then having fluoride varnish applied to their teeth for the prevention of tooth decay.

Dr. Thomas Courtney, DDS a Stewartsville dentist in DeKalb County had graciously offered his time to provide these dental screenings to the students in this rural school where dental care is not easily accessed.  Students from both the Elementary School as well as the High School took part in this event.  Dental screenings can detect problems early and by referring children for treatment in a timely manner can prevent future complications.  Pictured above is Dr. Courtney and some of the smiling faces from this event.

A Special Thank You to Our PSP Volunteers

    Welcome back to another exciting year for the Preventive Services Program.  Before we begin the 2009-2010 school year though, we would like to extend a special "thank you" to each and every one of our fabulous volunteers who have helped to make this program successful.  This past year we had an amazing 236 dentists, 383 hygienists and 1,561 community volunteers participate in the program allowing us to screen and varnish 35,270 children in 91 counties across the state of Missouri.  Without your help, none of this would have been possible.  We look forward to working with you again this year and wish to say thank you once again for the time you have given in your community to make a difference where you live!

Cynthia Hawkey - PSP Champion

The Preventive Services Program (PSP) would like to honor Cynthia Hawkey, RDH, BS for her outstanding community service and participation with the Preventive Services Program.  Cynthia began working with the Northeast Missouri Health Council in the FQHC (Northeast Missouri Dental Clinic) in June 2007.  Cynthia is a true leader in public health which is evident by her participation within her community. 

 

Cynthia teaches dental education to preschool and elementary schools, promotes dental care at health fairs, performs dental screenings, hosts dental hygiene students from the University of Missouri – Kansas City for hands on experience in public health and is actively involved with the Preventive Services Program (PSP).  Cynthia currently coordinates the PSP in three schools which serve 400 students.  She has promoted the PSP to two additional schools which will add another 500 children in her community. 

 

Cynthia says that she is “proud to work for an organization that cares about our community.” “I could not do this alone and am proud to work with dental assistants and an office manager that are willing to volunteer to help these children as well.”

 

Independence Missouri Public Schools Increase Number of Student Involvement with PSP

The Independence Missouri Public School District uses the Preventive Services Program (PSP) to encourage good oral health habits in 17 elementary schools with Kindergarten - 5^thgrade students by providing an oral screening, two fluoride varnish applications, oral health instruction and a free toothbrush & toothpaste. Independence Public Schools became involved with the PSP during the 2007-2008 school year and had great success with student participation. However, this 2008-2009 school year showed an increase of student participation by over 25% of those receiving oral screenings and  a 33% increase of children receiving oral screenings and two fluoride varnish applications.

These increases in participation for 2008-2009 represents  a total of 6,020 children receiving oral screenings and 3,756 receiving oral screenings and 2 fluoride varnish applications. Twenty-five local dentists and dental hygienists helped with oral screenings and Independence School District staff assisted with the oral education and fluoride varnish applications. The PSP has been well received and supported by many in the community of Independence Missouri. The city of Independence does not have public fluoridated water, thus the preventative aspects of the PSP with 2 applications of fluoride varnish can be of great benefit to many children.

Lafayette County Health Department Saving Smiles Program Serves 1,689 Children

Lafayette County Health Department, in partnership with the DHSS Preventive Services Program (PSP) creates big numbers with their Saving Smiles Program. Lafayette Health Department created the name" Saving Smiles" to represent the PSP for their community. During the 2008-2009 school year, 8 schools in Lafayette County participated in the PSP/Saving Smiles Program. Over 1,689 children received an oral screening, two fluoride varnish applications, oral health instruction and a free toothbrush & toothpaste. The amount of children participating in Saving Smiles shows a 70% involvement of children from these 8 schools. Eight local dental professionals helped with the oral screenings, 43 student and parent volunteers and many Lafayette County Health Department employees assisted with the oral education and fluoride varnish applications.

 

 

 

PLAN EARLY FOR THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR

  Due to limitations in resources and funds, the Oral Health Program is encouraging schools and communities to prepare early for the coming school year.  Over 35,000 children partiticipated in the program during the 2008-2009 school year.  We anticipate doubling that number next year.

Please set dates now for screening and varnish events and contact your Oral Health Consultant for supplies. (See "Find a Consultant" button at left).  December 1, 2009 is the deadline for activating participation in PSP.  Anyone requesting supplies and assistance after that time will be accommodated in the 2010-2011 school year.

Thank you being a supporter of PSP and promoting the oral health of the children in your community.

PSP Partners with Local Foundation in Jackson and Cass Counties

The PSP has partnered with The Research Belton Foundation to provide dental screenings, fluoride varnish application, oral health education and free toothbrushes during the month of February to over 1,200 3^rd graders in the public schools in Belton, Raymore-Peculiar, and Grandview School Districts. 

    

On the day of the program, each student was screened by a dentist with results being documented on a form and sent home to parents or guardians.  A trained volunteer applied fluoride varnish to the students’ teeth. An oral health educational activity was presented by a dental hygienist. The second fluoride varnish application will be completed in May 2009.

 

        

...For students whose screening results indicate further treatment to be necessary, the Research Belton Foundation will provide dental care for children for qualifying families.  The Research Belton Foundation’s Dental Care for Children Program provides treatment for dental emergencies characterized by trauma, such as a broken tooth, or recurring pain.  The program covers fillings, root canals, extractions, x-rays and cleanings for area low income children whose parents cannot afford to pay for treatment and who do not have dental insurance. 

      The Dental Care for Children program is funded by the Research Belton Foundation’s Annual Walk for Heart held June 7, 2008. Approximately 500 people walked in this event raising over $50,000 in support of the Dental program and scholarships for high school seniors in the community...1

     

For further information refer to The Research Foundation’s website at http://www.trfkc.org/RBF

                                              

1-Press release, Research Belton Foundation to local newspapers.