Sixteen-year-old Mateo had never been to a dentist. He was experiencing toothaches, fatigue, and had difficulty eating due to extensive tooth decay. Today, thanks to a grant from Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, Mateo and hundreds of Faribault school district students receive much-needed dental care directly at their schools through HealthFinders.
Faribault Public Schools is in the midst of launching full-service community school clinics across all their buildings in the district, and HealthFinders and their dental program have been key collaborators in making this happen. “HealthFinders is an essential partner in Faribault’s Full-Service Community School work. We are excited about the continued growth of the dental care resources and what it means for our students,” said Jamie Bente, Faribault Public Schools Superintendent. “Needless to say, children with dental pain struggle to focus in the classroom. When youth are healthy, they are going to be more successful in school.”
The new grant will help HealthFinders expand school-based programs, purchase mobile equipment, and, develop partnerships with the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry (read more about HealthFinders student rotations here). In feedback from the first group of dental student rotations, school-based visits have opened up the dental students to community oral health needs and innovative models of care.
HealthFinders Associate Director Daisey Sanchez says Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation has helped the program grow to what it is today. She says the grant will help build the school-based clinics for years to come.
“The simple fact that we can meet the patients where they are is groundbreaking. There is no need for parents to miss a day of work for a dental appointment for their children. The children don’t miss school either. Some children have expressed not having money to purchase a toothbrush and it fills them with joy when the team can give them a brand-new brush at their visit. Many of our newcomer students have not previously received oral health care and aren’t sure what to expect. The HFC staff do a tremendous job in getting people in the door and making them feel comfortable and safe when the patient is in their chair.”
When Mateo came to the clinic at Lincoln Elementary in Faribault, he received an exam and cleaning along with oral hygiene instructions. Still, the team quickly recognized he would need advanced treatment. A dental assistant promptly contacted his family with an available appointment to begin restorative work. It took three appointments to complete Mateo’s treatment, which included fillings, extractions and sealants. Today, he is cavity-free, participating in school activities, and eating his favorite foods without pain. He is scheduled to return to the clinic in six months for a follow-up exam and cleaning.
Oral health is essential to overall health, yet many in our community go without dental care. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, two out of every ten third graders in public schools have untreated tooth decay. These students are more likely to have limited access to dental services due to financial or other barriers. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood.
Since 2016, HealthFinders has been bringing oral health education and exams into the Faribault schools. The program started when HealthFinders dental hygienist Renae Blome partnered with school nurses who saw a need for dental services among students. HealthFinders developed the program to educate students on oral health and provide cleanings, exams, and preventive dental services on-site. HealthFinders makes care available to all students, including those enrolled in Medical Assistance or Minnesota Care plans (Blue Plus, South Country Health Alliance, UCare) and uninsured patients. Care is provided at no cost to students.
According to HealthFinders Dental Coordinator and Hygienist Fausto Rodela-Rodriguez, the grant is helping educate and treat hundreds of students throughout the year.
“The Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation grant is an incredible opportunity that is helping HFC raise oral health awareness to students, and to be able to provide care as well during school days, eliminating certain barriers that would otherwise prevent a student from being seen at our clinic. Unfortunately, the decay rates are high. It fluctuates from school to school, but tooth decay is persistent. Oral health education is very important, and we are hoping to help the students understand how to care for their teeth better now to prevent problems in the future. If further care is necessary, we will inform parents to please schedule an appointment with us at our clinic to continue care. “
Rodela-Rodriguez says it takes dedication from everyone involved to make these school dental clinics happen. Ultimately, the overall goal is to make communities healthier – starting with the students’ health.
“Access to oral health care is critical for a child’s well-being and success in school,” says Stephanie Albert, President of Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation. “Support to HealthFinders and the Faribault community exemplifies our commitment to health equity and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
The goal of the project is to keep expanding the number of services in school settings and to treat more students. This is also aligned with the planned expansion of HFC’s school-based health care offerings. “Going to school is health care,” says HFC’s Executive Director Charlie Mandile, “HealthFinders supports patients in their context where health is happening, and we have been building programs in schools for over a decade. Partnership with Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation has been instrumental in this innovation, and will enable this program to scale to meet identified community needs in unique ways.”
Comments