Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) Presented by by Spokane Regional Health District Spokane, Washington

ABCD BACKGROUND ABCD BACKGROUND n This began as a five year pilot program in February,1995 n Program has evaluated the effects of access and enhanced preventive benefits n Program provides access to prevention, routine diagnosis & treatment n Program has increased both provider and client education n Overall program improves access & reduces oral health disease

ABCD GOALS ABCD GOALS n To increase dental access to children aged 0- 6 years who live in Spokane or Stevens County and are on Medicaid n To positively impact the oral health status of clients and their families n To examine the effects of improved access & enhanced preventive dentistry

ABCD Project Partnerships n Spokane Regional Health District n Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) / Medical Assistance Administration (MAA) n Spokane District Dental Society n University of Washington School of Dentistry n Washington State Dental Association n Washington Dental Service Foundation

ABCD Who is Eligible? ABCD Who is Eligible? n Any Spokane/Stevens County child under the age of 5 with a Medicaid ID card

ABCD PROCESS ABCD PROCESS n Parent/guardian must enroll the child n Once enrollment is complete, a list of ABCD dentist is given to the parent/guardian n Dental education is provided

ABCD Registration ABCD Registration 1. Make sure the child is eligible 2. Complete enrollment information 3. Issue an ABCD Identification Card 4. List of participating dentists 5. Dental education 6. Dental Do’s

ABCD Education ABCD Education 1. Educate Clients n Appropriate behavior and protocol n Basic oral and personal hygiene n Dental education-first visit with first teeth or by age one 2. Training for Healthcare agencies (“Train the Trainer”) n (Public Health nurses, WIC, maternity access programs, foster care) 3.Client/Provider Linkage and Referral n Inform clients of participating dentists n Refer to pedodontist as needed n ABCD staff provides case management for troubleshooting

ABCD Outreach ABCD Outreach 1. Enrollment sites n Convenient community sites (WIC, Head Start/ECEAP, Community Centers) n Spokane Regional Health District 2. Reduce Barriers to Access n Transportation services n Interpreter services n Referrals to DSHS to obtain Medicaid coverage n Referral to other services as needed

Department Of Social And Health Services (DSHS) / Medical Assistance Administration (MAA) & The University of Washington 1.Tracking System to identify client/provider match n Clients enrolled n Client/provider visits n Billing procedures n Program requirements n Evaluation 2. Program research n Evaluation project n Journal articles n Focus Groups

Spokane District Dental Society n Dental provider participation n Client/Provider linkage and referral n Private office protocol n Number of children seen n Provider services n Report of “NO SHOWS” n Ombudsmen funded by WDSF for the first year to trouble shoot claim problems

ABCD Dental Do’s Before the Visit n DO keep from using the dentist as a threat n DO keep from using words such as “Hurt, Pain, or Brave” when talking about the visit to the dentist n DO keep from talking to your child about any bad dental visits you may have had n DO present the first visit in a good light. Let the dentist do most of the explaining about what will be done n DO stay in the waiting room if requested to do so n DO tell the dentist about any bad dental visits and/or fears your child has had n DO keep friends & older brothers & sisters from trying to scare your child about the dentist

The ABCD Child’s Dental Visit n Do present with clean teeth & clean body n Do carry with you a means of disposing of dirty diapers n Do bring only the child who has the appointment (if possible) n DO keep the appointment or call to cancel 24 hours in advance

ABCD POINTS of EMPHASIS ABCD POINTS of EMPHASIS n Making an appointment immediately after enrollment and timely recalls n Timeliness n Cleanliness n Setting a good example for the child

ABCD today:  Over 22,000 children enrolled  130 participating Dentists  ABCD “E” Expanded into Medical offices offices