Complete Provider Training & Evaluation

Training consists of a standard 1-1/2 hour AMA approved CME session, which in addition to providing training on oral screening, parent education, and fluoride varnish application, includes information on filing Medicaid, an "oral health toolkit" containing necessary and helpful resources, and a starter kit with supplies for 10 screening and fluoride varnish procedures. Information for ordering subsequent supplies is included as well.

As part of a study on training evaluation, an additional two methods of enhanced CME, conference calls and technical assistance, were randomly assigned to 120 practices. Providers from these practices were also asked to complete a questionnaire before attending the CME session and again 12 months later. It asked about knowledge of children's oral health, dental health services provided in the community, and practice characteristics. Study practices then invited 30 parents of children receiving the procedure to complete a questionnaire as well. It inquired about their child's oral health, home dental habits, and characteristics of the family. Follow-up questionnaires were mailed to the family approximately 12 months after completion of the baseline questionnaire. Analysis of the information collected from the 120 study practices during years 1 and 2 will take place during years 3 and 4.

The provider conducting the oral screening portion of the procedure must be a certified Healthcheck provider. This person may delegate the actual varnish application to another licensed medical provider in the practice. Oral and written parent/caregiver education is also a required part of the preventive procedure and is individually tailored to the family as determined by risk factor information gathered from the parent. Handouts for parents are provided for the practice to copy and distribute in the oral health toolkit, based on the child's age. Post-operative instructions are on the handouts and tell parents to wait and brush their child's teeth the next day and have them eat a soft diet the remainder of the day the varnish is applied.