7 - Implementation of Oral Health Certificate as a Requisite for Enrollment in Elementary Schools of Puerto Rico

Abstract: OBJECTIVE -Puerto Rico (PR) has a high prevalence of caries in infants at early (47% to 53%). This study evaluates the implementation of the Law No. 63 of 2017 (Establishes the delivery of an Oral Examination Certificate (CEO) in public and private schools for grades K, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th) and what has been the impact on claims for health services oral in the Government Health Plan. METHODS- A descriptive analysis of the data from the Compliance Report of the CEO 2018-2022 and the claims made to the Government Health Plan during the period 2016-2019 was made. RESULTS- Compliance for the delivery of certificate ranged from 23% to 42% , demonstrating an interruption on the increasing tendency of compliance during pandemic. In non-pandemic years, there was an increase in the percentage of beneficiaries between ages 1 through 16 who reported at least one claim for oral health services. The four preventive services with older claims among the 1-16 year old population for 2019 were: "Topical application of fluoride – excluding varnish" (19%), "Dental prophylaxis child" (14%), "Periodic oral evaluation (12%) and "Comprehensive oral evaluation" (10%). CONCLUSIONS- Taking into account the results of this study, we can establish that the implementation of Law No. 63 of 2017 has been effective. For this reason, it is important to continue monitoring and promoting compliance with this, as well as developing new studies that help us establish trends.

Source of Funding: CDC, HRSA