title: The Indian Health Service Early Childhood Caries Collaborative: A Five-year Summary.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess a national initiative's effect on prevalence of early childhood caries and untreated decay in zero- to five-year-old Indian/Alaska Native preschool children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Indian Health Service (IHS) conducted a five-year Early Childhood Caries Collaborative from October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2014. The program used educational materials and routine communication with the 322 IHS and United States tribal dental programs, with an emphasis on early access to care, dental sealanth, fluoride varnish, and interim therapeutic restorations (ITRs). Prevalence and untreated decay data were obtained through the nationwide oral health survey (2010 and 2014). Data were also collected on access to care, sealants, fluoride, and ITRs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of zero- to five-year-olds with a dental visit increased seven percent: dental sealants placed increased 65 percent; and fluoride varnish applications increased 161.2 percent. Between 2010 and 2014, the percentage of one- to two-year-olds with decay experience and untreated decay declined, but the difference was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early childhood caries prevention strategies, such as early access to dental care, sealants, fluoride varnish, and interim therapeutic restorations, demonstrated some initial improvement in the oral health status of zero- to five-year-old Indian/Alaska Native children.
authors.affiliation: Indian Health Service, Nashville, Tenn., USA. tim.ricks@ihs.gov.
authors.forename: Timothy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Ricks
authors.affiliation: Morro Bay, Calif., USA.
authors.forename: Kathy R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Phipps
authors.affiliation: tribal health board, San Luis Obispo, Calif., USA.
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bruerd
mesh_terms: D000072957:Alaska Natives / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003794:Dental Restoration, Temporary / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016549:United States Indian Health Service
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants