New Mexico Maternal Child Health

NMDOH Oral Health Program Information

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School Based Dental Sealant Program

OOH staff conducts a school based dental sealant program. OOH provides this service to over 125 schools participating in the Federal Free or Reduced School Lunch Program. The program consists of providing oral health education, dental screening, application of the dental sealant, notifies the parent or guardian of the oral health status of the child and in Santa Fe County and Rio Arriba County participates in a dental case manager program.

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Dental Case Manager Program

OOH and the Family Health Bureau, Children’s Medical Services (CMS) jointly provide a dental case management program to eligible low income and non-insured participating children in Rio Arriba County and Santa Fe County. The goal of this pilot project is to employ a dental case manager to improve access to oral health care and to reduce dental cavities in children 12 years of age and under. The dental case manager works with the various programs and community partners to schedule dental screenings, collaborates with oral health professionals to provide preventive dental services and provides follow-up services for those cases which need further dental care. The programs are: OOH dental sealant program, Head Start fluoride varnish project, WIC program and related Children Medical Services (CMS) activities.

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Fluoride Varnish Program

Low income and non-insured children participating in Head Start, WIC, Families First and Cleft Palate programs receive oral health education, dental screenings, fluoride varnish applications and the services of the dental case manager. (Santa Fe and Rio Arriba Counties have the services of a dental case manager). Parents receive oral health education training (nutrition, dental hygiene, and injury prevention).

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Dental Preventative and Treatment Services

OOH contracts with a number of dental providers throughout the State to provide dental preventative and treatment services to low income and non-insured New Mexicans. The services provided include providing dental sealants, fluoride varnish, and treating dental diseases. OOH coordinates the New Mexico Oral Health Surveillance System (NMOHSS) Advisory Committee. The Committees is responsible for conducting surveys, collecting dental data and analyzing oral health data. The information obtained identifies the oral health status of New Mexicans. The information is used by the State, local government, and the Legislature in the development and funding of oral health services.