GOAL 1: Increase Access to Oral Health Care
Anticipated Impact
Over the course of 3 years the impact will be a decrease in the number of youth ages
2-18 with untreated tooth decay or dental carries in the targeted communities where
these services are being provided. There will be an increase in the number of children
identified as having a dental home in targeted communities. There will be fewer visits
to the CHCO emergency department for oral health related issues by children in
these targeted communities. More children will have oral health insurance coverage
and will receive fluoride varnishes and other critical preventive services at sites
providing pediatric specific oral health services.
Strategy 1.1
Ensure for the full integration of oral health prevention services in a diverse network
of care provider settings that range from private health care clinics to school based
and community mental health centers.
Tactic: Expand and build upon the success of the Cavity Free at Three program. This
innovative clinical program aims to provide a dental home for children 3 years of
age and younger. In addition to serving as a dental home, the Cavity-Free at Three
program also provides clinical infant oral health training to pre-professional and
professional students, residents and community providers.
Tactic: In an effort to increase access to oral health services, CHCO will work to
ensure that insurance products offered on the exchange and by Medicaid contain
robust oral health service coverage.
Setting / Delivery Mechanism
School – This program can be integrated in the school resource center project
to ensure that all school based health centers provide preventative oral
health care.
Provider – This program can be expanded and administered through a clinical
network of primary care providers that ranges from the traditional private
pediatric practice to the community mental health center.
Employer – CHCO can work with other employers to inform how to ensure for
the proper and affordable coverage of dental benefits for both their employees
and their families.
Home – Community health workers will have access to dental home referrals
for children who are identified as being in need of oral health care.
Community Health Action Plan
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