Public Health Epidemiologist Iowa Department of Public Health
Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Brooke T. Mehner, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Stephanie Chickering, BA, RDH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: Objectives: Complete an open-mouth survey using I-Smile™ program resources (1) to acquire an understanding of dental disease prevalence among children ages 3-5 enrolled in Iowa Head Start; and (2) to evaluate dental disease prevalence among Head Start survey participants in comparison with previous Head Start oral health surveys and the potential impact of I-Smile™.
Methods: Dental hygienists and nurses who would provide dental screenings at Head Start classrooms through the I-Smile™ program during the prescribed timeframe (2/1/2021-6/1/2021) were required to participate in a webinar calibration training and complete a follow-up quiz.
Results: Screenings were provided to 2,360 Head Start-enrolled children 3 through 5 years of age. Survey participants are diverse in race, ethnicity, and gender. Only 30 percent presented with either suspected or treated decay, which is 30% less than that identified in 2015 (43%). However, significant disparities across race and ethnicity exist, with black participants having decay (27%) at two times the rate of white participants (13%). Additionally, rates of the child having a dental visit in the past 12 months declined from 2015, where 90% percent of participants had a dental visit in the last 12 months, compared to 83 percent in 2021.
Conclusion: Consistent oral health surveillance is important in understanding oral health status and oral disease prevalence among a designated population, especially those believed to be in highest need. A statewide infrastructure to provide preventive services, like I-Smile, helps children access dental care, understand its importance, and has likely improved oral health outcomes among Iowa children.
