B3 - A Dental Home for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: Engaging Families and Providers to Increase Access and Inclusion in Oral Health Care Settings

Sunday, May 7, 2023

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST

Location: Studio 2

Primary Presenter(s)

Lauren Howard, MS

Director, North Carolina Office on Disability and Health
Division of Child and Family Well-Being, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Holly Springs, NC

PDF Handouts Slides

Presenter(s)

Wendy Schwade, BS, RDH (she/her/hers)

Program Consultant
Division of Child and Family Well-Being, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services,, NC

Co-Presenter(s)

Mara Deutsch, BA, MSW (she/her/hers)

Family Partner
Division of Child and Family Well-Being, Whole Child Health Section NC Department of Health and Human Services
Durham, NC

A dental home is important for every child, but especially for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). Many CYSHCN have unmet dental needs and families experience barriers to accessing oral health care. The Dental Home Initiative was developed in collaboration with parents/caregivers of CYSHCN, dental providers, and stakeholders to address barriers to care and promote a dental home. This workshop will provide an overview of the Dental Home Initiative with a focus on parent/caregiver partnership and involvement, interprofessional collaborations within the dental community, and equity through physical and communication access. Panelists will share how the initiative encourages access and inclusion of CYSHCN and lead a discussion on ways that oral health care can be integrated into different areas of MCH practice.