Smiles for Lake County Oral Health Coalition

Conference Call Minutes

April 24, 2012 5:30pm-6:30pm

Meeting was opened at 5:30pm by Dr. Elizabeth Orr.

Members in attendance: -Dr. Elizabeth Orr -Donna Gregory -Dr. Connie Vu -Mary Stickney -Karen Crawford -Page Barningham -Elly Moorer -Porcha Greene The minutes from last meeting were accepted as written.

New Funding Opportunities:

1. Closing the Gap: Deadline for letter of inquiry was April 20 and deadline for submission is April 30. The timeframe does not allow for enough time to submit a proposal. This may be an opportunity for next year.

2. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Foundation Improving Access to Health Program: Letter of inquiry due May 28; full applications due June 29. Dental care is considered a health-related service and eligible expenses include staff salaries, equipment and supplies, and indirect/overhead related expenses. This program is to fund direct services and LCHD could apply as a lead agency.

3. Dentaquest Foundation Demonstration Fund for Oral Health: Proposals due May 30 for Round 1 and due September 30 for Round 2. This fund helps to support new programs/coalitions that can impact public policy, increase funding, strengthen delivery of oral health care, and expand community engagement on oral health issues. This funding will help to support coalition activities and does not fund direct services. This grant funding can support staff salaries, data collection fees, and supplies.

Implementation of Goals:

Possible Merging of Goal #1 and #3: "Welcome to Dental" package: Pamphlet of nutrition, home care, toothbrush/swiffy, list of providers via a partnership with WIC/Healthy Start/Headstart. Pilot program was a success at Umatilla and Leesburg WIC but was put on hold due to reimbursement issues. This program may be a self sustaining program with funding and a formal SOP.

The pilot program was led by Dr. Lindberg who visited WIC locations one day per week and saw on an average of 20-30 clients per day. She provided a visual exam, oral hygiene instructions, and a referral to pregnant mothers and parents to bring their children to the Fruitland Park office. Mary Stickney states that the program was well-received by clients and staff.

The limitations of the program included lack of funding and lack of space in Clermont. The solutions are to apply for funding to sustain the program for a period of a least 6 months and also partnering with Headstart to help for space allocation. Elly Moorer suggested using the multiple Headstart facilities if space is limited. Connie Vu calculated estimated expenses: $500/day reimbursement of a dentist’s salary and $500/day for supplies (fluoride varnish, disposable mirrors, gloves, masks, oral hygiene bags and brochures, and referral lists). With an estimate of $1000/day for 4 days per month for 6 months, the estimated cost to request would be $24,000. Mary Stickney suggested having a meeting with Dr. Orr and Oscar Palau to develop an SOP/action plan to present to Leadership for approval to apply for grant funding.

-Possible Goal #2: Educating pediatricians about application of fluoride varnish and encouraging establishment of a dental home by age 1. This may be difficult to implement without a clear idea of pediatrician interest in this program. This may be a goal for the future.

-The Crest website provides toothbrushes and toothpaste samples to school nurses if they sign up to receive samples.

Upcoming Events:

1. ABC News with Diane Sawyer: April 25, 2012 airing a segment on access to oral health care

2. Leesburg Elementary School Career Day with Toothy 2: April 27, 2012 8:30-2:30pm

3. YMCA Healthy Kids Day: April 28, 2012 9am-noon

4. PBS Frontline: access to oral health care segment on June 26, 2012

5. Oral Health Florida 3rd Annual Conference: August 23-24, 2012 in Orlando

Dr. Orr mentioned an article in the Orlando Sentinel dated April 20, 2012 titled “Gum disease, heart disease not linked”. This article was making a statement that “Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body” concept may be related to the fact that lifestyle choices predispose to many detrimental health outcomes but do not necessarily cause them.

No Member or partner updates to report. Next meeting: Tuesday May 22, 2012 at Leesburg Elementary Media Center 5:30 to 6:30 PM; Please invite a friend or colleague to join us!

Conference Call adjourned at 6:30pm.

Minutes submitted by Elizabeth Orr