Head Start

VDHA.net — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:47:13 +0000

Adopt a Head Start

VDHA has launched a new public health initiative, which we call “Adopt a Head Start”. We have partnered with the Virginia Head Start Association and the Virginia Department of Health to improve access to preventive dental health services for Virginia’s Head Start population, including staff, parents, and children. The program was piloted with the Chesterfield County Head Start program, and the Greater Richmond Dental Hygienists’ Association in 2006-07. Using volunteer dental hygienists, our goals are:

To improve access to preventive oral health services.
To increase knowledge and awareness of the importance of oral health.
To improve access to dental treatment services.
To maintain an advisory relationship regarding oral health issues for Head Start children.
To act as advocates regarding the oral health needs of Virginia’s Head Start children.

Head Start Facts

Head Start is a national comprehensive child development program that serves pregnant women, infants and children from birth through age five. The overall goal is to increase school readiness for children from low income families, by enhancing social and cognitive development through the provision of education, health, nutrition, and other services. Emphasis is placed on parental involvement in the administration of the local Head Start programs, and in the education of the child.

Data from FY-2006 reveal an enrollment level of 909,201, with 16,425 children enrolled in Virginia.

Most children enrolled in Head Start are eligible for oral health services paid for through programs such as Medicaid (DORAL in Virginia), the Indian Health Service, or the military dependent dental plan.

Children enrolled in Head Start experience more tooth decay, more extensive tooth decay, more pain from untreated decay, and less access to dental care that children from upper income families.

Untreated tooth decay in enrolled children is the number one health concern reported by Head Start staff.

Head Start Toolkit

To request a toolkit, contact:

Susan Pharr, RDH, MPH
Maternal and Early Child Oral Health Coordinator
Division of Dental Health
Virginia Department of Health
804-864-7782
Susan.Pharr@vdh.virginia.gov

Toolkit contents:

1. General Information

Component guidelines
Duties of Head Start liaison
Strategic Plan
Tracking form

2. Education (includes learning objectives, curricula resources, and more)

Staff
Parent
Classroom

3. Screening/Fluoride Varnish Guidelines

4. Health Advisory Committee

Head Start Tracking Form

VDHA.net — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:46:47 +0000

ANNUAL HEAD START TRACKING FORM
FOR ORAL HEALTH ACTIVITIES

Your name: _______________________________ (use separate page if listing names)

Head Start Program: _______________________ County/City _____________

Date of services provided: ____________________

Total # of dental providers present:________

This form will assist in tracking oral health services provided to Virginia Head Start programs.

PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN TO SUSAN PHARR

Susan.Pharr@vdh.virginia.gov

FAX #: 804-864-7783

Service	# of contact hours*	# of participants
Dental Exams (dentist)
Dental Screenings (hygienist)
Fluoride Varnish
Staff Education
Parent Education
Classroom Education
Health Advisory Committee
Health/Resource Fairs
Other

* Contact hours = # hours spent providing service (not including preparation)

Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association (VDHA) » Head Start

Head Start

Head Start Tracking Form