Programs and Services Washington State Smile Partners can make a difference When dental care is put off, simple problems can become expensive crises. Our solution is to identify those most at risk for dental problems and treat them early. Early treatment is important, because tooth decay is preventable and can even be reversed. By making dental care affordable and easy to access, we are making a difference. Our programs Mom and Me Cavity Free—A program for low-income pregnant women and their babies Smiles at School—A program for low-income children in public schools Project Smart Smiles—An expanded program for low-income children in public schools Smiles for Life—A program for seniors 60 years and over Objectives Educate patients about good oral health and how to take care of teeth and gums Screen for dental disease and signs of oral cancer Apply fluoride varnish and dental sealants to treat or prevent cavities Clean teeth and treat gum disease Assist those who need to see a dentist A record of success We use clinical treatment methods based on the latest research in oral science. Our records show dramatic declines in new or recurring tooth decay in thousands of children—even years after initial treatment. Since 2003, Washington State Smile Partners has screened and treated over 10,000 children in King and Kitsap counties. And for those without insurance or Medicaid, we have delivered services at prices 65% to 75% lower than normal dental fees. We currently serve 40 preschool classrooms (Head Start and ECEAP) and 16 elementary schools. And in 2007-2008, we expanded our programs so that we can start treating pregnant women and babies, high school students and seniors. Mom and Me Cavity Free In Washington State, 45% of low-income preschoolers have cavities compared to 28% nationally. Recent studies point to moms as a source of the problem: They can pass cavity-causing bacteria to their children. This starts the oral disease process early. This program is an effort to stop the dental disease process where it starts. We educate low-income pregnant women about how to protect their baby's oral health. Moms are screened for dental problems and treated before they give birth. We follow up with routine exams and cleanings for both mother and child for up to 2 years after the babies are born. Our first program for moms and babies opened in 2008 at Harrison Medical Center in Silverdale. Our goal is to make oral health a routine part of prenatal and postnatal care. Smiles at School Children from low-income families are more than twice as likely to have untreated dental disease. Smiles at School is a program bringing dental care to public schools with a high percentage of students in subsidized school-lunch programs. Smiles at School provides a stable base where each child receives ongoing preventive care tailored to his or her needs. We work onsite during school to clean teeth and screen children for dental disease. Children receive fluoride varnish and dental sealants when needed to prevent or treat early tooth decay. For more serious dental problems, we help patients find local dentists for further care. Project Smart Smiles Project Smart Smiles is a 2-year pilot project funded by the Group Health Community Foundation in 2007. This program is similar to our program, Smiles at School, but expands what we deliver to cover more children at each school enrolled. We will also collect data to help us show how school-based programs can deliver services more effectively to more children. Washington State Smile Partners manages this program at public schools in Kitsap County. We are joined by partners working in Whatcom, Thurston, Pierce, Benton and Franklin counties. Smiles for Life Seniors are among those in greatest need of dental care. Good oral health is especially important for seniors because they are more at risk of suffering the serious side effects of dental disease—including pneumonia, heart attack and stroke. But few have dental insurance, and Medicare doesn't cover their dental costs. Smiles for Life offers low-cost dental services at local senior centers. Our first program opened in 2007 at the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center. It is currently the only preventive program for seniors in Kitsap County and one of the first of its kind in the state.