ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN TRIFINIO, GUATEMALA

Elizabeth Shick, DDS, MPH

Assistant Professor in Pediatric Dentistry, Interim Director of Admissions and Director of Global Health Initiatives

CU School of Dental MedicineNovember 21, 2014

Trifinio is near the town of Coatepeque seen on this map.

Approximately 5 hours from Guatemala City by bus.

Approximately 1.5 hours from Coatepeque.

Rural area of Guatemala where there are many banana plantations.

Approximately 4,700 banana plantation workers and family members.

Population at large is ~30,000.Trifinio

CU Center for Global Health at the School of Public Health has partnered with Agro America on this project

Agro America is one of the largest exporters of bananas in Guatemala and their largest banana plantation is called Banasa and in this region

Agro America Bolaños Foundation donated money to build a permanent health clinic partnering with the CU Center for Global Health

CU Center for Global Health also donated money and secured grant money

Clinic is located on the Banasa banana plantation grounds

Services include: Pediatrics, Ob/Gyn, Birthing Center, and Dental care

Dental clinic funded by the CU School of Dental Medicine

2 fully functional dental chairs.

Autoclave sterilization

Provide comprehensive dental care offering basic restorative procedures for children and adults (not just extractions)

4 student trips/year with up to 5 students and 1 faculty member

An oral health Needs Assessment was done in June 2014 at the Banasa elementary school on 164 children in grades K-5

All children in need of comprehensive and preventive dental care return for dental appointments when the dental team goes 4 times/year

Caries rates as DMFS

Gingivitis

Visible plaque

Visible abscess

Cellulitis

Self reported toothaches

Oral hygiene practices

DMFS

D

M

F

S

1

23

4

5

University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

Trifinio Dental Clinic

Patient name: __________________________________________________________ Exam date: ___________________

DOB: ________________ Dentist: _____________________

Questions:

Have you ever seen a dentist? Y N DK

Do you have a toothbrush at home? Y N DK

Do you ever share your toothbrush? Y N DK

How many times/day do you brush? 0 1 2 >2

Have you ever used dental floss? Y N DK

How many times/day do you floss? 0 1 >1

Do you have a toothache? Y N DK

Screening Exam:

Presence of decay Y N

Decalc Ant Post Gen

Visible plaque Y N

Bleed on brush Y N

Abscess Y N

Facial swelling Y N

DMFS _______________

*NOTE: children who saw dentist previously had only extraction of infected primary teeth confirmed by clinical exam and interview

*NOTE: bleeding on brushing is a proxy measure for gingivitis

July 2014 November 2014

Number of patients seen 56

Number of sealants placed 6

Number of fillings placed 10

Number of pediatric crowns placed 8

Number of extractions 108

Total teeth treated 132

Number of patients seen 66

Number of cleanings 28

Number of sealants placed 53

Number of fillings placed 63

Number of pediatric crowns placed 6

Number of extractions 108

Total teeth treated 230

Total patients: 122

Total teeth treated: 362

School-Based Oral Health Education

Emily Reddick, MPA

Teachers taught about

etiology of decay, how to

prevent caries, nutrition,

fluoride, oral hygiene and

overall importance of good

oral health. Given a pre-test

and post-test, all teachers

improved their knowledge.

QUESTIONS ?