A service-learning project to eliminate barriers to oral care for children with special health care needs.
Children with special health care needs face many barriers to oral care and are at high risk for oral disease. School nurses are in a unique position to promote oral wellness in this vulnerable population. Collaboration between school nurses and dental hygiene faculty resulted in the formation of a partnership between a university-based dental hygiene program and two special education districts in rural southern Illinois. Senior dental hygiene students participated in a school-based service-learning project that provided dental examinations, preventive services, and education to children with special health care needs. Evidence-based behavioral interventions were used to teach children to comply with oral procedures. School nurses mentored dental hygiene students in behavior management of children. Dental exams were provided to 234 children from four special education schools with the majority receiving cleanings and fluoride.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA. rondad@siu.edu
Ronda R
RR
DeMattei
Jessica
J
Allen
Breanna
B
Goss
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000379:methods*; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education*; D003945:Diagnosis, Oral / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004506:Education, Nursing; D004519:Education, Special / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires