Established Evidence Results

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): PATIENT/CONSUMER, Oral Health Education, Oral Health Supplies, Assistance in Making Dental Appointment

Intervention Description: To test the effectiveness of an advanced practice nurse model of care to improve oral health in low-income pregnant women.

Intervention Results: At baseline, 30.1% of women in the control group and 27.4% of women in the experimental group had seen a dentist. At followup, the control group increased to 32.9% while the experimental group increased to 56.9% (p=0.006).

Conclusion: Implications for practice: Because adverse pregnancy outcomes have been linked to periodontitis in numerous research studies, pregnant women must be educated about the importance of oral health and the necessity of a check-up. APNs are in an ideal position to educate women and assist them to obtain necessary oral health services.

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): PATIENT/CONSUMER, Oral Health Education, Oral Health Supplies, PROVIDER/PRACTICE, Designated Clinic/Extended Hours, Quality Improvement/Practice-Wide Intervention

Intervention Description: The state of New Hampshire created a pilot project to integrate preventive oral health care for low-income women and children through local sites of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.

Intervention Results: Preliminary data suggest promising results. Among the approximately 3,900 children served by the three pilot locations, 573 children (14 percent) received an oral health screening; 175 (31 percent) of those children were under age one. Of those screened, 48 children (8 percent) had untreated decay, 490 (86 percent) received a fluoride varnish application, and 80 (14 percent) received a dental sealant. A total of 857 pregnant women are served in the WIC program across all three pilot locations. Out of those women, 123 (14 percent) received an oral health screening. Of those screened, 88 (72 percent) showed untreated decay, and 46 (37 percent) were referred to a dentist for urgent needs. Out of the women who received an oral health screening, 114 (93 percent) received a fluoride varnish application, and 92 (75 percent) received sealants.

Conclusion: This profile details New Hampshire’s experiences and offers considerations for state agencies, federal policymakers, and other interested stakeholders to explore alternative channels for reaching low-income populations with oral health care and education.

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): PATIENT/CONSUMER, Oral Health Education, Oral Health Supplies, PROVIDER/PRACTICE, Designated Clinic/Extended Hours, Quality Improvement/Practice-Wide Intervention

Intervention Description: The state of New Hampshire created a pilot project to integrate preventive oral health care for low-income women and children through local sites of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.

Intervention Results: Preliminary data suggest promising results. Among the approximately 3,900 children served by the three pilot locations, 573 children (14 percent) received an oral health screening; 175 (31 percent) of those children were under age one. Of those screened, 48 children (8 percent) had untreated decay, 490 (86 percent) received a fluoride varnish application, and 80 (14 percent) received a dental sealant. A total of 857 pregnant women are served in the WIC program across all three pilot locations. Out of those women, 123 (14 percent) received an oral health screening. Of those screened, 88 (72 percent) showed untreated decay, and 46 (37 percent) were referred to a dentist for urgent needs. Out of the women who received an oral health screening, 114 (93 percent) received a fluoride varnish application, and 92 (75 percent) received sealants.

Conclusion: This profile details New Hampshire’s experiences and offers considerations for state agencies, federal policymakers, and other interested stakeholders to explore alternative channels for reaching low-income populations with oral health care and education.