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The Seminole County Health Department's (SCHD) Dental Program focuses mainly on preventive care for children with Medicaid and on a more limited basis adults with dental emergencies have been referred by the local hospitals and sponsored by Seminole County Community Assistance. The expansion of the state of the art Casselberry facility in 2006 has increased capacity significantly. Nearly 20 patients a day are seen in Casselberry and 30 are seen in Sanford. Even with these numbers only 3.9% of children receive their dental services from the health department, according to the 2006 Child and Adolescent Health Assessment.

Unfortunately, many children and adults do not have dental insurance and Seminole County is lacking in providers and foundations that can provide free or reduced cost care. Fortunately, the Seminole County Health Planning Partnership was founded to help organize community partners and health providers interested in collaborating on health initiatives. This partnership brought the SCHD and the Dental Care Access Foundation (DCAF) together.

In 2006, DCAF, working with the SCHD, hosted the Seminole County Smiles Day at the health department's Sanford and Casselberry clinics on a Saturday. About 65 patients were seen for fillings and extractions that totaled over $13,000 worth of services. These services were provided by volunteer medical professionals coordinated with DCAF. Due to the success of the program and the increasing demand for the uninsured to receive dental care, a longer term project has been initiated.

Starting in December, twice a month, there will be an evening clinic in the SCHD Casselberry office that will see patients that have registered with DCAF and do not have dental insurance. DCAF will provide an appointment for those that qualify. The first appointment will be an assessment of the problem and a treatment plan will be outlined. Then at the second appointment limited treatment will be provided. If the problem is too complicated, the patient will be referred to an oral surgeon through the Dental Care Access Foundation.

This pilot dental program is phase II of the Access to Care Initiative that the Seminole County Health Planning Partnership started in 2006. Phase I has already seen the Shepherd's Hope Clinic in Longwood established and where 5,000 acute primary care services have been provided to the uninsured over the last 18 months. "We expect to see similar success with this dental clinic because we know the need is out there," said Mike Napier, administrator of the Seminole County Health Department. "It is a compelling community partnership between the DCAF and SCHD because the health department has open chairs in the evening and DCAF has the medical personnel to manage the clients. It is also hoped that emergency room visits, due to dental problems will decrease, allowing for better access to care for those that truly need emergency care.".

If you know of someone who is in need of dental care, please contact Julie Kestler at Dental Care Access at 407-898-1525. She will be arranging all appointments for those nights of service. Volunteers and supplies are also needed, including dentists, oral surgeons, and general volunteers.

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The Seminole County Health Department's (SCHD) Tuberculosis and Refugee Health Program won the 2008 Refugee Program of the Year for a Medium Sized County at the Bureau of Tuberculosis (TB) and Refugee Health statewide meeting in Orlando.

So far in 2008, the SCHD has screened 134 refugees and asylees. During 2007 the county reported 229 arrivals, with 224 of those screened for tuberculosis, a 97.82 percent screening rate, compared to a 41 county average of 59.12 percent.

The awards are based on outstanding dedication and support of the Florida TB and Refugee Health Program, by the Bureau of Tuberculosis and Refugee Health for the State of Florida.

Tags:

Access to Care Initiative, Dental Care Access Foundation, Seminole County Health Department, Seminole County Smiles Day, Tuberculosis and Refugee Health Program

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