Model School-Based Dental Sealant Program in Arlington: SMILES – Sealing Molars Improves Life of

Every ChildSally HopperExecutive Director

Dental Health for ArlingtonArlington, Texas

Texas Oral Health Summit: Advocacy, Equity & AccessAustin, Texas

September 9-10, 2004

DENTAL HEALTH ARLINGTON

Mission:To provide preventive and pain relieving dental servicesfor low-income residents, And to educate children about good oral health.

SMILES School-based Preventive

Dental Program

SMILES stands for Sealing Molars Improves the Life of Every Student

Started in 1993 as a pilot project as a result of a community needs assessment

Only schools with 50% or more

of their students on the

Federal Free Meals Program are served

2003-2004• 24 Low-income Schools in Arlington and

Mansfield Were Served

• 1st, 2nd and 3rd Graders Received Oral Health Education

• 7,459 Children Received Oral Health Education

• 5,877 Sealants were Applied on

1,947 2nd and 3rd Grade Students

Smiles Screenings Initially Found:

• 16% of the children screened had pain, swelling or infection present at the time of screening

• 61% of the children screened had untreated decay

By 2003-2004Screenings Showed:

Severe tooth decay had been cut in half from what it was in the beginning

More than half of the students presented with visually healthy mouths at the time of screening

Brighter Smiles in the Future

• OHI was given to 1st Graders in 2003-04

• In 2004-05, those children will be given oral screenings in 2nd grade

• SMILES hopes to show that early educational intervention decreases decay rates even further

Funding Sources• United Way• Tarrant County Hospital District• City of Arlington (CDBG)• Medicaid, for sealant placement• Numerous small grants from a variety of

foundations

SMILES annual budget is approximately $120,000

Start Up Expenses

• Portable dental equipment ($6,000)

• Large number of mirrors and explorers

• Two curing lights

• Travel bins

• OHI kits, typodonts, large toothbrushes, etc.

Successful Solutions

Getting Started:

• Think Small (but Smart)

• Establish a Verifiable Need

• Do Democracy

• Be Very Cautious of the Partners You Choose

• Set a Firm Foundation

For More Information

www.dentalhealtharlington.org

www.pew-partnership.orgClick on “Solutions for America”