Healthy Smiles Dental Clinic helps
thousands to keep smiling
Many people remember childhood
visits to the dentist, to check on the progress of the baby teeth
falling out, or to fill a cavity or two. However, for some who don’t receive
early dental care, their first trip to the dentist doesn’t happen
until they are in pain.
The Healthy Smiles Dental Clinic provides care for children who
otherwise may not have access to a dentist. Each year, the clinic
provides nearly 10,000
visits for children needing dental care.
“Statistics show that 80 percent of dental disease is in 20 percent of
the population,” said Anne Wilson, DDS, MS, director of the Healthy Smiles
Dental Clinic. “Generally, that 20 percent doesn’t have easy
access to dental care; those who are uninsured or on Medicaid. These are
the children
that we treat, hoping to change the risk factors in order to change the rate
of disease.”
 |
| Anne Wilson, DDS, MS, director of the Healthy Smiles Clinic. |
In addition to providing pediatric dental care, the clinic is a training
facility for future dentists; a dental health family education center;
and a partnership
between the University of Colorado Denver
School of Dentistry and The Children’s Hospital. The clinic has also
formed partnerships with public and private entities to further help underserved
children receive
dental care.
One such partnership is with the Aurora Public Schools. The school district ’purchases’ two
days a month at the clinic through funding from the School Medicaid Program,
to provide care for children in dire need of dental services. The program
allows for approximately 12 visits per month.
“
Before we implemented our uninsured fund in 2000-2001, we did a needs survey
of Aurora Public Schools staff, community members and parents – which overwhelmingly
showed mental health services as the first need, with dental care a close second,” said
Mary Anderson, school nurse/case manager for Aurora Public Schools.
“
I called the people at Healthy Smiles and they were wonderful about meeting with
us and setting up this partnership,” said Anderson. “Almost every
day, I get a call about a student with a serious dental problem that needs attention – and
I have a place to send them.”
One such student is Rafael Garcia, a sophomore at Gateway High School,
who hadn’t
seen a dentist since moving to Denver from Mexico three years ago. His
mother, Gloria Orsornio has medical insurance, but no dental insurance
for her family.
So, when Rafael began to experience severe pain in his mouth, he went to
the school nurse, Debbie Neal.
Due to the agreement between Aurora Public Schools and Healthy Smiles Dental
Clinic, Liz Ocasio in the Office of Medicaid Services in Aurora Public Schools,
was able to get an emergency dental appointment at Healthy Smiles Dental Clinic
for that day.
Rafael had a badly infected molar that needed to be removed. His mother
took him to the appointment and “they asked her if it was OK to give me some
medication for the pain,” remembers Rafael.
Orsornio appreciated being included in the decision-making, but even more,
appreciated the good service and that Rafael was seen so quickly. She also
was relieved that
a good portion of the expense was covered through the resources of the clinic.
Rafael went back to school and gave Neal a hug. He plans to make a follow-up
appointment to see if there is something that can be done to replace the molar.
 |
| Rafael Garcia, a Healthy Smiles Dental Clinic patient, and his mother, Gloria Orsornio. |
“
We are so thankful for our partnership with The Healthy Smiles Dental Clinic.
Students who have dental pain and often an infection, are able to get dental
care that day or the next day,” added Anderson.
Healthy Smiles also participates in providing treatment on two “free days” per
year in conjunction with Delta Dental of Colorado, and the Colorado Dental Association.
On these days – a Saturday in April and a Friday in February – the
clinic staff provides their services for children with no insurance.
“One of our main goals is accessibility for as many kids as possible. We
provide access by creating partnerships to cover some of the expenses, in order
for these kids to have dental care,” said Janine Costantini, the administrative
manager of the clinic. “This model is unique nationally in that it
provides a great clinical experience for the undergraduate dental students;
a teaching
venue for graduate students; and provides underserved children with high
quality dental care.”
“
As pediatric dentists, we recommend children see a dentist by one year of age,” said
Wilson. “We are working with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
to spread this recommendation to pediatricians, so they will include this information
in their checkups.” The clinic also promotes education for parents
by sending residents out to give lectures with new mom clinics, emphasizing
the
importance
of dental health for infants.
Risk factors for dental disease include a diet high in refined carbohydrates,
inadequate fluoride exposure, oral factors such as susceptible tooth surfaces,
low salivary flow and higher levels of microflora (oral bacteria) associated
with dental decay.
“
The interplay of these factors over time places children at higher risk of developing
dental caries. By reducing even one of these risks, the rate of disease can be
lowered,” said Wilson.
Services at the Healthy Smiles Dental Clinic include teeth cleaning, cavity
prevention and fillings, and treatment for gum disease, injuries to the mouth
and teeth
and for growth or developmental problems. The clinic sees patient from birth
to 18 years old, and can provide referrals for orthodontics, oral surgery and
cleft lip and palate. Doctors are available if other health problems are discovered.
“
Poor oral health can make a child more susceptible to other health problems.
And a high rate of dental disease in childhood, increases risk for continuing
dental problems as an adult,” said Wilson.
