A model for extending the reach of the traditional dental practice: the ForsythKids program.
BACKGROUND
The authors describe and evaluate the short-term effectiveness of a community-based program for dental caries prevention in children.


METHODS
The authors enrolled pupils in the ForsythKids program after receiving informed consent. They targeted children at six Massachusetts elementary schools, grades 1 through 3, with pupil populations at high risk of developing caries. The children underwent examination by dentists using calibrated technique and received comprehensive preventive care from dental hygienists. The authors determined effectiveness by means of comparing results of the initial examination with those of a second examination performed six months later.


RESULTS
At baseline, 70 percent of the 1,196 participating children had decayed or filled teeth. More troublingly, 42.1 percent of the primary teeth and 31.1 percent of the permanent teeth had untreated decay. Six months after preventive intervention, the proportion of teeth with new decay was reduced 52 percent in primary teeth and 39 percent in permanent teeth. Furthermore, the percentage of children with newly decayed or restored primary and permanent teeth was reduced by 25.4 percent and 53.2 percent, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that this care model relatively quickly can overcome multiple barriers to care and improve children's oral health.


CONCLUSIONS
If widely implemented, comprehensive caries prevention programs such as ForsythKids could accomplish national health goals and reduce the need for new care providers and clinics.
Niederman
Richard
R
Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry, The Forsyth Institute, 140 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, USA. rniederman@forsyth.org
Gould
Ellen
E
Soncini
Jennifer
J
Tavares
Mary
M
Osborn
Valarie
V
Goodson
J Max
JM
D002648:Child; D003190:Comprehensive Dental Care; D004245:DMF Index; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003818:Dentition, Mixed; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012423:Rural Health; D012571:School Dentistry; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014504:Urban Health