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 Because Health Care is a Right, Not a Privilege |
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| Oral Health THE TOOTH FAIRY: MCMICKEN DENTAL HELPS IMPROVE OVER-THE-RHINE ONE SMILE AT A TIME Judith Allen, D.D.S., works in an old rundown paint factory on McMicken Street in Over-the-Rhine. She makes significantly less money than most other dentists, works in a bad part of town and literally gives her services away. Allen fixes the teeth of Cincinnati's homeless. Read this cover story from Cincinnati's CityBeat and be sure to watch the related multimedia presentation by Jared M. Holder. Dr. Allen serves on the HCH Clinicians' Network Steering Committee and is former Network Chair. YOUR MOUTH ON METH The Network's Oral Health Task Force developed this new patient education flyer on methamphetamine use and "meth mouth." In easy to read language, the flyer explains what methamphetamine does to the user and provides a graphic illustration of meth mouth. The pdf can be downloaded and printed using a color printer, or you may prefer to e-mail the file to a quick print shop. The flyer includes space to add a label providing your agency's name and contact information. OTHER RESOURCES ON METH MOUTH
The Network's Oral Health Task Force developed oral health recommendations and a simple checklist for primary care providers who see homeless patients. There is frequently a shortage of oral health resources in the health care for the homeless practice setting, making it critical for primary care providers to be proactive in oral health screening. The Oral Health Task Force reminds clinicians that oral health and general health should not be interpreted as separate entities, and that one cannot be healthy without oral health (see Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General 2000). GOT MILK?  Got Milk? Responding to Pediatric Dental Injuries of Homeless Children is one in a series of Health Care Case Reports developed by the HCH Clinicians' Network in an effort to share practice-based experience.IMPROVING ACCESS TO ORAL HEALTH SERVICES Oral Health Services Legislation Several states have introduced or passed legislation to improve access to oral health services for underserved populations. We encourage you to use this model legislation spearhead similar efforts in your state. FOR WANT OF A DENTIST: BOY DIES AFTER BACTERIAL FROM TOOTH SPREAD TO HIS BRAIN Twelve-year-old Deamonte Driver died of a toothache although a routine, $80 tooth extraction might have saved him. Deamonte's death and the ultimate cost of his care, which could total more than $250,000, underscore an often-overlooked concern in the debate over universal health coverage: dental care. Some poor children have no dental coverage at all. Others travel hours to find a dentist willing to take Medicaid patients and accept the incumbent paperwork. Some get in for a tooth cleaning but have trouble securing an oral surgeon to fix deeper problems. For poor families such as the Drivers, systemic problems are compounded by personal obstacles: lack of transportation, bouts of homelessness, erratic telephone and mail service.  SAFETY NET DENTAL CLINIC MANUAL Lack of access to dental care is a real problem for uninsured and underinsured individuals and families. This user-friendly, highly practical manual results from a collaboration among the Ohio Department of Health, the Indian Health Service, and the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors. It presents a step-by-step approach for establishing a safety net dental clinic including chapters on: > building community partnerships; > strategic planning and needs assessment; > facility needs for fixed dental clinic sites as well as mobile and portable dental care delivery systems; > staffing size and mix; > financing; > operations including details and examples of policies, procedures, guidelines and regulations; and > quality assurance and accreditation. HEALING HANDS ARTICLES ON ORAL HEALTH
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