BEST Oral Health Program Smiles on Ware Students

WARE — When Marlene DiLeo, principal of Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School, was approached by the Quaboag Hills Community Coalition (QHCC) to bring the BEST Oral Health Program and services to the school district, she immediately embraced the implementation of the program for her students.

“By offering oral health education and services in our school, we will stress the importance of oral health to our students and their families,” DiLeo said.

Dr. Mary Beach, superintendent of Ware Public Schools, noted that, “as educators, we know that poor oral health in children can affect growth and school attendance. We will promote healthy behaviors and reinforce the value of regular professional dental care for prevention to our students and their families.”

The BEST (Bringing Early Education Screening and Treatment) oral health program is an innovative effort from Partners for a Healthier Community Inc. (PHC) that provides children under the age of 5 with oral health education and onsite dental treatment via portable dental equipment.

BEST partners with Tufts University Dental School dental hygienists and Commonwealth Mobile Oral Health Services dentists to provide preventive and restorative dental services as well as dental referral services to all children enrolled in the program. Since 2008, BEST has been expanding services to elementary-school children in Westfield and Springfield public schools. BEST is now being implemented in the Ware public-school district to service preschool children through grade 3 (ages 3 to 9) with plans to expand to upper grades in 2010.

“Many families encounter barriers to accessing oral health care, particularly the uninsured and underserved,” noted Jeannette Tokarz, medical director of Quabbin Pediatrics. “Dental decay can profoundly impair a child’s ability to eat, sleep, and concentrate. Studies have shown that dental decay is associated with increased risk for future decay as children grow to adulthood.

“Adult dental disease has been linked to a multitude of complex health problems including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes,” she added. “Good oral health is important during all stages of development for children. Developing good oral hygiene is the first line of defense against common dental problems such as plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease.  The most common chronic disease in infants and young children is dental caries [cavities]. In fact, it’s actually five times more prevalent in children than asthma.”

The Quaboag Hills Community Coalition (QHCC), a group of providers and agencies who work collaboratively to promote access to services for the people of the Quaboag Hills Region, has a long history with PHC/BEST. Knowing that dental disease is one of the most preventable chronic disease affecting children, the QHCC has worked to address the oral health needs of the children and families of the Quaboag region.

Baystate Mary Lane Hospital sponsored three oral health trainings to more than 75 early-childcare providers and school nurses in an effort to better connect education, prevention, and treatment services to young children. Following these trainings, an oral health distribution center was established at Valley Human Services with the help of then hospital, which provided storage cabinets and dental supplies. This distribution center offers supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and educational materials at a reduced cost to area childcare providers, who are incorporating brushing as part of their programs.

“I am so pleased to make the BEST Program available to our students,” said Marie Haley, elementary school nurse, adding that parents must sign a program consent form to enroll their children in the program. Students can receive dental care including education, fluoride treatments, cleanings, dental exams and X-rays, sealants, and fillings, all on site at the school.

“This program will help us to remove barriers to oral health care and teach our students the importance of their teeth and ways to keep their mouths healthy,” she added. The BEST information and permission slips have already been sent home to families and offered at open-house events at the school. Parents who would like more information about BEST Oral Health Services can call Haley at (413) 967-6236.