New State Oral Health Plan Targets At-Risk Populations

HARTFORD — The Connecticut Coalition for Oral Health Planning is looking to keep state residents smiling

The Connecticut Oral Health Improvement Plan was released at the recent Sharing the Vision statewide oral health conference, and aims to improve the oral health of Connecticut residents over the next five years.

“I am proud that the Department of Public Health was part of this important initiative and I applaud the coalition for its insight and persistence in the development of this plan,” said Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner J. Robert Galvin, MD, MPH, MBA.

“The enthusiasm was overwhelming,” said Deputy Commissioner Norma Gyle, RN, PhD, who gave opening remarks at the unveiling of the plan. “Whether you are an individual, health care provider, organization, or community, there is something in the plan for you to do to improve oral health in Connecticut.”

The Report on Oral Health in America, published by the Surgeon General’s Office in 2000, stated that oral health is essential to the general health and well-being of all Americans and is achievable.

The report also stated “a coordinated effort can overcome the educational, environmental, social, health systems, and financial barriers that have created vulnerable populations whose oral health is at risk.” Many states responded to the Surgeon General’s call to action.

Connecticut is now one of the 23 states nationally with a state oral health plan.

The planning process started two years ago with a kick-off conference involving national and state leaders in oral health.

“The coalition, made up of a diverse group of agencies and organizations, conducted focus groups across Connecticut to get the perspective from communities of what issues were important to them,” said Dr Ardell Wilson, state oral health director.

She said the plan has four broad goals for oral health:

*Integration of oral health into overall health

*Ensure an adequate dental workforce

*Build a strong and sustainable oral health infrastructure and

*Advance best practices for oral health.

“Implementation of the plan will take coordinated efforts of all segments of Connecticut,” Dr. Wilson said.

“The Connecticut State Dental Association has been involved in the planning process from its inception and we are committed to working with our partners in the implementation of the plan to improve the oral health of all citizens,” said Carol Dingeldey, executive director.

The report provides the most current information available on oral heath status, risk factors associated with oral disease and access to oral health care.

“Oral health is a hot topic in health care these days, with a growing body of research pointing to poor oral health and its potential implications for contributing to or exacerbating health problems ranging from heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and pregnancy complications,” said Commissioner Galvin. “Most prevalent oral diseases, dental caries [dental decay] and periodontal [gum] disease, are chronic infectious diseases that must be controlled to have overall good health.”

Key findings of the report indicate that Connecticut is in an excellent position to make important headway in improving the oral health of its residents, Dr Wilson explained.

“Almost 90 percent of residents have access to community water fluoridation and most see a dentist on an annual basis,” she said. However, residents most at risk for oral disease, the elderly, poor and minorities, have a heavy burden of oral disease that is a great concern.

Key findings of the report include the following:

*Young children, particularly those in HUSKY A, Head Start, and children with special health care needs, may be disproportionately affected by dental disease due to limited access to dental services.

*Late detection of oral cancer due to limited oral cancer screening adversely affects long-term survival, particularly for racial and ethnic minorities.

*Risk factors for poor overall health are similar to risk factors for poor oral health demonstrating the need to integrate oral health into general health programs.

*Preventive measures such as community water fluoridation, fluoride supplements, dental sealants, and routine dental visits are effective measures in the prevention of oral disease.

*Children in HUSKY A have poor utilization rates in the prevention of oral disease.

*Many physicians may not be aware of the fluoride supplement prescription protocols for infants and children.

*The number of actively practicing dentists is declining in the state and will further reduce access to oral health services for Connecticut residents.

*Safety net dental sites are limited in number and in their capacity to provide services to those who need them.

*The distribution of the dental workforce in Connecticut is uneven, resulting in a shortage of providers in many towns.

The information contained in the report is not only a documentation of the current status of oral health in Connecticut but will serve as a baseline to monitor trends and improvements in oral health over time.

Dr Wilson emphasized that an important message for all Connecticut residents is that oral disease prevention works.

“Adults, particularly those with chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease should visit a dentist at least annually,” she stated. “Children should begin seeing a dentist as soon as teeth appear, but no later than age 1. Daily oral hygiene with use of fluoridated toothpaste and dental floss are essential to maintain oral health.”

The Oral Health Improvement Plan 2007–2012 can be found on the Department of Public Health’s website, www.dph.state.ct.us/bch/oralhealth