DOVER (SEPT. 28, 2021) The Delaware Division of Public Health Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services (BOHDS) has partnered with the Delaware Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (DEAAP) to promote literacy and good oral health habits by encouraging parents to find a dentist for their child by age 1.

In support of its mission to promote optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults in Delaware, the DEAAP recently established an Early Literacy Committee (ELC) tasked with engaging and supporting Delaware primary care pediatricians to promote early literacy from birth to five years. The DEAAP ELC’s efforts are guided by its vision that “beginning at birth, every Delaware child is read to every day.”

To help accomplish this goal, DEAAP and BOHDS are working to collaborate on the distribution of the Brush, Brush, Brush book to pediatric practices that are implementing the evidence-based Reach Out and Read (ROR) literacy program.

The book, which will be distributed during the 12-month well-child visit, promotes healthy habits using rhyme to engage and inspire little ones to brush their teeth. Included on the back of the book will be a sticker with the Bureau of Oral Health Dental Services Help Line that helps families find a dentist.

“The age 1 dental visit is important for several reasons in that it allows for a positive dental experience for the child and family,” said Dr. Nick Conte, dental director for the Division of Public Health. “Not only does it create an opportunity for early identification of any developmental issues and preventive needs, more importantly it helps to foster a home environment where oral health is valued, and families have the knowledge and skills necessary to stay healthy and decay free.”

Pediatric practices expressing an interest in distributing the “Brush, Brush, Brush” book as part of the Reach Out and Read program will be contacted by a dental hygienist who will coordinate book delivery, engage in oral health conversations around available resources and supplies (toothbrushes, dental floss, toothpaste, etc.) and training for risk assessment and fluoride varnish application, as requested by the practice.

“The DE AAP ELC is excited to be collaborating with the Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services on this initiative, said Stacey G. Fox, MD FAAP, Chair of the DE AAP Early Literacy Committee. “It is a win-win. With a fun gift for the child to keep, busy pediatricians are able to provide two essential messages simultaneously: the importance of reading with your child every day and how to keep their brand-new teeth healthy and strong. The kids love to look at the book, and these messages get reinforced with every turn of the page.”

 

For more information about dental resources in Delaware, visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/hsm/files/dentalresourceguide.pdf.

For assistance locating a dentist, call the Oral Health Services Help Line at 302-622-4540.

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Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind or speech disabled can contact DPH by dialing 711 first using specialized devices (i.e. TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free and to learn more about how it works, please visit delawarerelay.com.

 

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

 

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today that its Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services will not reopen its Public Health Dental Clinics for direct patient care. The clinics, which previously operated within the Delaware State Service Centers, have been temporarily closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the temporary closure of the clinics was largely driven by the pandemic, the decision to permanently close the clinics was under consideration before the pandemic began. Steady declines in the number of patients served through the clinics over the last five years as well as an increasing shift in programming focused on school- and community-based outreach led to the closure decision.

The DPH Oral Health Program will continue to support access to quality oral health services through the Delaware Smile Check Program, a portable preventive dental program delivered on site in schools, that includes case management to connect families to providers that can best meet their dental needs, provide oral health and nutrition education, assist families with securing insurance, as well as other services as needed.

“Our priority is to continue with efforts to decrease the burden of oral disease for Delawareans, particularly for families with disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Dr. Nick Conte, director of the Division of Public Health’s Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services. “Portable dental programs have allowed us greater opportunity to reach populations that may experience barriers in accessing dental care services.”

Conte continued: “We look forward to resuming and expanding services provided through Delaware Smile Check and other community-based programs to address the needs of the community, and remain dedicated to utilizing new tools and technology to provide virtual education, case management, and laying a framework for dental medical integration to address the individual’s total health.”

Over the past year, the DPH Oral Health Program has identified children with urgent oral health needs and unmet dental needs, and successfully connected them with a dental home while the dental clinics have been closed. Notification was sent to patients regarding the permanent closure with additional information.

Previous clients of the DPH dental clinics who have not yet found a new dental home are encouraged to contact the Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services at 302-622-4540 to speak with staff who can assist them with identifying providers in their community that meet the needs of their family.

For more information about the Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services, visit https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsm/ohphome.html.

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Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind or speech disabled can contact DPH by dialing 711 first using specialized devices (i.e. TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free and to learn more about how it works, please visit delawarerelay.com.

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.