An OCF South Coast Regional Action Initiative to Improve Children's Dental Health in Coos and Curry Counties
For the first time in 40 years, tooth decay is on the rise among young children. If left untreated, it can have serious effects on their self-image, educational success and long-term health.
The South Coast Regional Action Initiative Committee focuses on preventing childhood oral disease. As a result of discussions with dentists, health care professionals, school superintendents, public health leaders and other stakeholders, the Committee identified the critical need for a local dental health coordinator who would:
- Design and implement a school-based screening, sealant and fluoride varnish program
- Build partnerships between schools and dental professionals
- Recruit and organize volunteers
- Distribute oral hygiene supplies to K-7 students
- Schedule mobile dental van visits
- Increase regional awareness of childhood dental disease
- Develop infrastructure for a regional referral system to improve children’s access to dental care
In December 2009, the Committee created the South Coast Children’s Dental Health Initiative. This Initiative ensures that K-7 children are educated about oral hygiene, given preventive care, screened for common dental problems and referred to a dentist when necessary. Committee members formed a local steering committee with community leaders — including agency heads and school district personnel — to make sure this community-driven effort succeeds.
In June 2010, The Ford Family Foundation approved an award of $80,000 to hire a dental health coordinator for the Initiative, which the Committee named the Ready to Smile program of The Oregon Community Foundation. In July, Canada Converse was hired to design the Ready to Smile program. In November 2010, Cecilee Shull began coordinating the program through Coos County Public Health, which sequences the delivery of dental health services and acts as a liaison between schools and local agencies.
Ready to Smile provides the following services to eligible children:
In partnership with Waterfall Community Health Center, Ready to Smile provides sixth- and seventh-graders in Coos and Curry counties — and Reedsport in Douglas County — with dental screenings, sealants and fluoride varnish. Ready to Smile staff are also advocating for Curry County schools to receive Oregon's Oral (Dental) Health Program, which provides screening and sealants for first- and second-graders.
Because financial and logistical concerns are frequent causes of inadequate dental care, the Committee is also exploring options for a financial assistance program that would offset the cost of copayments, medication and transportation.
In Year 1, Ready to Smile screened 744 children in 12 schools. Volunteers applied 3,545 sealant treatments (an average of 4.76 per student), provided fluoride varnish to 627 children and distributed 2,721 dental kits. The total value of these services was $183,718.
Community support for this Initiative has been strong. On April 10, 2010, the Curry Health Foundation and the Gold Beach Rotary Club held their annual “High on Health” gala. This event raised $21,700 for dental services for Curry County children, thanks in large part to the efforts of OCF South Coast Leadership Council member Dale Thomas. In addition, the Bandon Rotary Club donated $2,500 for services in Bandon.
In February 2011, the Coos County Commission on Children and Families approved a request by Sharon Smith and Soroptimists of the Coos Bay Area for a $750 grant toward the manufacture of children's dental hygiene kits for distribution by Ready to Smile. Local Soroptimists have made more than 2,500 of these kits, which are an important tool for combating oral disease.
In fall 2011, Ready to Smile screened 507 students in the Coos County School District, 170 of whom were found to have at least one cavity. Statistics from other regional school districts were consistent with these findings; in other words, roughly one-third of screened students had one or more cavities.
Thanks to a remarkable outpouring of support from donors and volunteers, Ready to Smile raised $40,000 in cash and in-kind donations by December 31, 2011, which made the program eligible for a $40,000 matching grant from the Mudd and Sprague Family Foundations. These contributions will support ongoing direct services and coordination efforts in Coos and Curry counties.
Also in December 2011, Ready to Smile received a $7,500 grant from the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Oregon and Southwest Washington. The national chapter of Ronald McDonald House Charities® matched this grant with an additional $7,500. These generous grants will provide the program with dental kits, equipment and supplies in 2012.
"Ronald McDonald House Charities is pleased to support the important services provided by Ready to Smile," explains RMHC Executive Director Tom Soma. "Basic pediatric oral healthcare is one of the region's most critical medical needs and challenges."
On February 4, 2012, a community celebration for the Ready to Smile program will take place at Bandon's Harbortown Event Center. This event includes dinner, door prizes and a no-host bar. Children are welcome. For more information, please contact Joy Ricks at swvevents@oregoncf.org.
Volunteers and dentists who wish to participate in the Ready to Smile program are encouraged to call Cecilee Shull at 541.756.2020, ext. 526.
To get involved or contact us
If you are interested in supporting or learning more about OCF's South Coast Regional Action Initiative, please contact Melissa Durham, statewide RAI coordinator: mdurham@oregoncf.org or 503.227.6846.