August 13, 2015

PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE FOCUS OF STUDY TO HELP CHILDREN AND ADULTS ACROSS U.S.

Study analyzes return on investment of dental services provided by the department 

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health is proud to be one of five states selected to participate in the Association of Maternal and Child Health Program’s (AMCHP) Return on Investment Analytic Action Learning Collaborative. The state team will conduct a return on investment analysis on preventive dental services provided by the local health departments to children statewide. Completion of this comprehensive analysis on preventive dental services is expected to demonstrate support for school-based prevention programs and help guide oral health policy at the state level.

"Good oral health is important for complete health,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “The department is excited to be selected for participation in a national effort to enhance prevention of dental disease.”

Tooth decay is the one of the most common chronic health conditions affecting children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in five children, ages 5-11, in the United States has at least one untreated decayed tooth. The department’s Public Health Dental Program promotes and administers oral health education and preventive dental programs statewide through 67 local health offices.

The department applied and was selected to participate in the second cohort of the learning collaborative. Other states selected to participate are Massachusetts, Mississippi, Georgia and North Carolina. During this seven-month project, AMCHP will provide intensive technical assistance and support to department epidemiologists, Public Health Dental Program staff, and state-wide oral health partners.

The proposed project will use local health office service data to analyze the cost and savings associated with various preventive dental services, such as sealants, fluoride treatments and dental cleanings. 

Results of the analysis are anticipated to be available in early 2016. For more information about the services provided by the Public Health Dental Program visit https://www.floridahealth.gov/dental.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.