Why now and why Maine? The facts speak for themselves; - One-third of Maine's kindergarten students have been diagnosed with tooth decay - a preventable disease. - Many of Maine's children needlessly suffer from speech problems, altered physical appearance and unnecessary pain due to lack of access to oral health services. - Maine has a severe shortage of oral health professionals with only 589 dentists actively practicing in Maine and only 445 practicing general dentistry. - In the United States, children lose more than 1 million hours of school each year due to oral disease. (Source: Maine Cooperative Health Manpower Resource Inventory, ODRVS and 2000 Population, US Census Bureau) Who is eligible? - Maine's children through 18 years of age - Children with no private dental insurance - Meets certain income guidelines "In the United States, children lose more than 51 million hours of school each year due to oral disease. Lifelong health problems can result from oral disease. Poor oral health may also lead to a diminished quality of life for children, causing needless pain, decreased self-esteem and limited involvement in school and other social activities. Preschoolers diagnosed with severe early dental caries (tooth decay) are particularly at risk and may suffer from failure to thrive, distraction from play and learning, and eating and sleeping disturbances." Source: Children's Oral Health: State Initiatives and Opportunities to Address the Silent Epidemic, The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, access on February 25, 2003 at: http://www.astho.org/pubs/childrenoral.pdf Where does Miles for Smiles travel? The program focuses on the most critically underserved areas in Maine. The mobile dental center travels to schools, hospitals, and community centers to reach children who have the greatest need for oral health services. Community support and coordination are the key components to the success of the program. The mobile dental center will travel to: Pittsfield - Warsaw School (Somerset County) Skowhegan - Redington-Fairfview General Hospital (Somerset County) Presque Isle - The Aroostook Medical Center (Aroostook County) Houlton - Houlton Regional Hospital (Aroostook County) Dover-Foxcroft - Mayo Regional Hospital (Piscataquis County) What services are provided? Miles for Smiles uses a fully equipped, state-of-the-art oral health center on wheels to deliver the following services: - Dental Screenings - Oral Health Education - X-rays - Cleanings - Fluoride Treatments - Examinations - Sealants - Fillings - Root Canals - Extractions - Case Management Dentists are proud that most Americans enjoy excellent oral health. But we also believe it is a national disgrace that in 21st Century America, thousands of children can't sleep or eat properly, can't pay attention in school, can't simile because they have untreated dental disease, which is so easily preventable." Source: American Dental Association (ADA) President Gregory Chadwick, D.D.S., American Dental Association Announces Major Initiative on Children's Access to Dental Care, Ascribe Newswire, June 25, 2002 What are the steps to get dental services on the Miles for Smiles mobile dental center? Children and young adults who live in Aroostook, Somerset, or Piscataquis counties may qualify for oral health care through the Miles for Smiles program. Call the toll free number 1-866-298-0893 to speak to staff on the mobile dental center. You can call between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm to talk with someone. State and National Support Current efforts in Maine mirror those of the "National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health" based on the Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health in America and the Healthy People 2010 initiative. (See http://www.nidr.nih.gov/sgr/oralhealth.asp for the complete report.) Through this program and others, several areas are being targeted to improve oral health and prevent disease. Change perceptions of the importance of oral health; Overcome barriers to oral health care by duplicating successful programs and efforts; Increase oral health workforce diversity, capacity and flexibility; and Increase collaboration among all health professionals and beyond. The significance of this issue can be summed up in the following statement by Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. "Oral health is integral to overall health. It's critical that we all work together to improve the nation's oral health, especially among children." To make an appointment call toll-free 1-866-298-0893 For additional information about Miles for Smiles, contact: Dr. Curtis Dailey, Chief Dental Officer Penobscot Community Health Center 1048 Union Street, Suite 5 Bangor, ME 04401 Tel: (207) 945-5247 ext. 411 Fax: (207) 992-2154 E-mail: cdailey@pchcbangor.org www.pchcbangor.org |
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