
Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) was recently awarded a 1-year grant through Fidelis Care’s “Rural Health Grant Awards” to improve pediatric oral health in the region.
“Fidelis Care is pleased to present a $10,000 rural health grant to Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization to help establish its pediatric oral care pilot program,” said Fidelis Care Sales and Marketing Director Shannon Lombardo. “This initiative underscores Fidelis Care’s commitment to fostering healthier futures for children across New York State, especially those in underserved communities. Our rural health grant program is centered on enhancing programs and building partnerships that address barriers to care.“
FDRHPO will collaborate with Pediatric Wellness of Northern New York, a primary care practice serving patients in and around Jefferson County, to provide their patients with fluoride varnish treatments, dental care supplies (e.g., toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss), and information about dental practices in the region.
“Dr. Myla Estepa of Pediatric Wellness of Northern New York has always shown a passion for improving the health and wellness of her patients by addressing barriers to receiving the care they need. One aspect of health that is easily overlooked is dental health,” said Ian Francis, FDRHPO Practice Transformation Specialist.
FDRHPO will also develop and disseminate an educational and awareness campaign to educate the general public about the importance of preventive measures (such as twice daily brushing and flossing; fluoride varnish treatments; and dental appointments at least annually) in children’s oral and dental health.
“Every week we see 5 to 10 children for preoperative evaluation, in preparation for going under general anesthesia to complete dental work due to dental caries (cavities),” said Dr. Myla Estepa, owner and physician at Pediatric Wellness of Northern New York.
“Pediatricians have a vital role in preventing this condition, which has now become a very expensive cost of healthcare.”
Dr. Estepa’s observations are backed by statistical evidence that the tri-county region faces significant dental care concerns. The rate of outpatient visits for dental caries (a.k.a., cavities) in the region is 357.5 per 10,000, which is 286% higher than the NYS average of 125 per 10,000. The region has fewer dental providers per capita compared to urban regions, leading to long wait times and difficulty establishing regular care, particularly for children.
Families may not have access to consistent dental visits due to transportation challenges, financial or insurance barriers, or a lack of awareness about preventive care. This situation leaves many children without regular dental checkups, increasing the risk of untreated tooth decay and other oral health problems.
This pilot seeks to mitigate and address these issues by providing dental care supplies and fluoride varnish treatments through the pediatric primary care setting, thereby expanding a basic level of oral care and awareness to children who are not established with a dental practice.
“Working with Pediatric Wellness of Northern New York by providing resources and logistical support to help them provide dental care and educational material to children and their caregivers can help improve awareness and support healthy behaviors in children that will help minimize long-term illnesses later in their adult lives,” said Mr. Francis.
Fluoride varnish treatment is used to prevent tooth decay and can be started as soon as a child’s first tooth appears. It can be applied in dental or primary care settings, by a variety of healthcare professionals, who clean and dry the child’s teeth with a small piece of gauze and then swipe the varnish onto the teeth with a brush. It generally takes less than two minutes to apply the varnish and the fluoride, housed in the varnish, enters the tooth enamel and makes the tooth hard, prevents new cavities from forming, and slows or stops decay from getting worse. It can be applied every three months, up to four times a year. Fluoride varnish is used as part of comprehensive preventive oral care, meaning it should be used alongside twice daily brushing and flossing to help prevent cavities.
“After launching the pilot program, we will share lessons learned, workflows, and resources (including ‘return on investment’ data regarding insurance reimbursement for varnish application) with other pediatric primary care practices in the region, to support practices in offering, or expanding their offering of, fluoride varnish treatments to their patients,” explains Joanna Loomis, Deputy Director of the North Country Initiative. “FDRHPO will also collaborate with practices to explore processes and workflows to encourage patients to establish regular (at least annual) care with a dental provider.”
FDRHPO also engages with a regional oral health coalition (“Keep the North Country Smiling,” facilitated by Jefferson County Public Health) that includes healthcare stakeholders and regional public health departments.
“This coalition aims to address the region’s oral care challenges and has identified fluoride varnish treatment as an action item; therefore, this project will align with the coalition’s efforts, ensuring alignment with broader regional strategies and fostering collaborative opportunities to expand, track, and sustain the pilot post-grant,” said Mrs. Loomis.
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