TITLE
Title
DHHS-PUBLIC HEALTH: DENTAL DELTA SMILES IN THE CLASSROOM ($5,000)
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Anita Ramachandran
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BACKGROUND
Background
The Delta Dental Smiles in the Classroom Award to the Guilford County Division of Public Health (GCDPH) will be used to purchase and distribute oral health supplies such as toothbrushes, a brushing timer, and/or toothpaste to Guilford County Public School (GCS) kindergarten students at the time of their kindergarten dental screening by GCDPH’s School Health Dental Hygienist.
The funds will support approximately 4,200 students attending GCS. The estimated cost for supplies per student is $1.30. The Smiles in the Classroom initiative focuses on fostering good oral health habits and improving oral health in GCS kindergarten students. GCDPH has applied for these funds and has been awarded grant funds for this initiative since 2014.
Through expansion of the program over the last two years, the program has been able to provide toothbrushes to small groups of 1st and 3rd grade students when their class participates in oral health education classes. These classes are designed specifically to celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month during the month of February. Additionally, oral health kits (toothbrushes, brushing timer and/or toothpaste along with an insert on general good oral health recommendations) are provided to some of our high-risk (diabetic, pregnant, and/or housing insecure) older students. Good oral health is essential to overall health, and many students do not have the basic supplies needed to be successful with achieving good oral health.
The Guilford County Public Health-School Health Program is the only entity that has a MOA permitting a School Health Dental Hygienist to provide kindergarten dental screenings to GCS students. The same MOA also allows the School Health Dental Hygienist to screen any enrolled student grade K-12 that has an urgent dental need. No other program has offered to provide GCS high-risk students oral health supplies.
2023-2024 school year
4,056 dental screenings were completed
4,897 toothbrushes were distributed to GCS students.
2024-2025 School Year (To Date)
2,095 oral health screenings conducted
419 referrals for dental care issued
Ongoing distribution of oral health supplies. The service is not mandated but is supported through an inter-local MOA between GCS and GCDPH.
The program is externally focused and provides services within the community. Serving children during the school day, at their schools, provides an enhanced level of service for County residents. Often, schools are the first line of support for families being able to access appropriate health services. By providing oral health screenings at school, concerns are addressed quickly, thus reducing the burden and cost on the community.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
General Fund
$5,000 Increase in Other Revenues
$5,000 Increase in Appropriation to Health and Human Services - Public Health
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Approve a budget amendment to increase the appropriation to Health and Human Services - Public Heath by $5,000 with $5,000 in Other Revenues.
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