The following information has been provided by a community partner, Denise Goudelock, RDH, BS, MA from the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority Dental Clinic. The Puyallup Tribe’s dental clinic is part of a collaborative project called Baby Teeth Matter to address the oral health of American Indian children ages 0-5. Baby Teeth Matter is a collaborative project between the Northwest Tribal Dental Support Center and the Washington Dental Service Foundation. Seven tribal dental programs in the Pacific Northwest volunteered to participate in this project. The project included three face to face meetings/trainings, noon webinars, quarterly data collection, and ongoing technical assistance.
Objectives
- Increase the number of 0-5 year olds who receive dental access, with an emphasis on 0-2 year olds.
- Increase the number of 0-5 year olds who receive comprehensive dental care at their IHS/Tribal dental program. (Reduce referrals to private pediatric dentists)
Promising Practices
- Protocols : screening/exams, fluoride varnish, sealants on primary molars, minimally invasive dentistry, motivational interviewing, and frequent recall.
- Tribal Policies: Include a dental visit as part of a well-child visit, scheduling dental as the first stop in the appointment for the family.
- Real Open Access: Babies can be seen whenever the dental clinic is open without scheduling an appointment.
- Case Management: Tracking all 1-2 year olds to schedule dental appointments
- School Visits: Coordinated with Tribal FACE, early preschool program
- Day care visits: Coordinated with Tribal Day Care Center
