North carolina statewide preventive dental health program

North Carolina Statewide Preventive Dental Health Program

Presented by

Jigyasha Timsina

INTRODUCTION• Formulated in 1970 by North Carolina dental

society

• A strong preventive dental disease program embracing:

school and community fluoridation fluoride treatment for school children plaque control education in schools and communities Education on prevention for dental professionals

• IN 1973, Frank E. Law prepared a report for North Carolina dental society

• Defined the extent of dental disease problem

• Initiated 10 year program to reduce dental disease

MILESTONES

• A steering committee developed a practical plan for a program in schools

• Continuation and expansion of the North Carolina Preventive Dentistry program for children (NCPDPC)

• These included 19 videotapes for classroom teachers in teaching dental health and conducting state wide oral health survey of representative sample of school children from kindergarten to grade 12 during 1986-87 school year

Philosophy and Goals• Unique public and private partnership

• Dedicated to assuring conditions in which North Carolina citizens can achieve optimal oral health

• Include preventive and educational component to modify behaviour patterns of individuals to improve their oral health habits

• Young children are primary focus

• Flouride is recognized as most effective public health measure against dental caries

Objectives that will facilitate attainment of the goals :

• Appropriate use of fluoride

• Health education in schools and communities

• Availability of public health dental staff in all countries

Program Implementation

In 1990 services delivered through the program included:• The fluoridation of water supplies of 130 rural schools

• Weekly fluoride mouth rinse for more than 416,000 students in 1051 schools

• Screening and referral for more than 339,000 children

• Dental health education presented to 361,000 children and 42,000 adults

• More than 33,000 dental sealants applied

• School teachers received pre-service , in-service and follow up training and consultation

to cover dental health concepts,

practice oral hygiene skills

integrate dental health into the curriculum

• The curriculum “Framework for Dental health education’’ formulated

It includes classroom and teacher videos and teacher guides for

kindergarten through grade 6

Teaching aids available such as more than 50 different leaflets, worksheets and handouts

The film library contains some 30 films ,videos and slide sets on dental health

Program EvaluationEvaluation has shown :• 34% reduction in decayed, missing and filled permanent

teeth among children who had 8 years experience drinking fluoridated water at school

• 53% reduction in decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth among children who had 10 years experience drinking fluoridated water

• 86% reduction in dental caries after 4 years of sealant use on permanent teeth

REFERENCES

• ESSENTIALS OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY

Soben peter,5th edition• Internet sources

Have a healthy smile