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Oral
Disease: "A Silent Epidemic" Affecting
Our Most Vulnerable Populations
The Surgeon General reports that nationwide, fewer
than one in five Medicaid-covered children received a single dental
visit during 2000. Illinois Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) data
reveal that approximately 30% of children ages three through twenty
receive a dental service in a given year.
HFS covers approximately one million children under
its Medical Programs. Protecting and improving the health of Illinois
children is one of the state's highest priorities. Medicaid's
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment program
(EPSDT) is the nation's largest preventive child health initiative
providing health screening, vision, hearing and dental services
at intervals that meet reasonable standards of medical and dental
practice.
Children enrolled in Medicaid or All Kids are eligible
to receive one clinical oral examination each year and routine
prophylaxis and topical fluoride treatment every six months. HFS
would like your help in assisting these families to access these
valuable services.
Dental screening as part of the physical examination
you provide, even for children under the age of one, helps identify
children who require further evaluation by a dentist. Pediatricians
and family physicians are a vital link and can help increase the
number of children who receive dental services by:
- Performing an oral exam as part of the well child screening
evaluation;
- Providing caregivers with anticipatory guidance in nutrition
and oral hygiene procedures; and
- Initiating a referral to a dental provider and encouraging
parents or guardians to make the appointment and keep it.
Bright
Futures in Practice: Oral Health is
an excellent resource for anticipatory guidance.
To make dental referrals for children who participate
in HFS's Medical
Programs, please contact or tell your
clients to contact the HFS's dental program administrator:
Doral Dental of Illinois
1-888-286-2447 (customer
service for participants)
Doral Dental of Illinois will assist in locating
a dentist for an appointment.
(You will need the participant's
ZIP code to receive local referrals.)
HFS is grateful for the much-needed services
you provide to this population.
Links:
Guide to Children's Dental Care in Medicaid (pdf)
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