Oral Health Newsletter Volume 10

Illinois’s health care systems continue to be saddled by the burden created by oral diseases and conditions, limited oral care access, and inferior oral health data. To illustrate, nearly 2.3 million people in Illinois lived in dental health professional shortage areas during 2017-19 (HPSA) (2018). In addition, non-Hispanic Asian children had the highest prevalence of cavities compared to other ethnic groups during those years. As Illinois currently faces several significant oral health gaps and disparities, it is imperative that health care leaders collaborate to promote positive health outcomes. Recently, the Oral Health Section published the Illinois Oral Health Surveillance Brief (IOHSB) (2018-2021) —a report of the Illinois Oral Health Surveillance System Plan, which tracks key indicators of oral health. The Illinois Oral Health Surveillance System collects consistent and reliable data, which is analyzed and disseminated to further understand factors that influence oral health and contribute to oral health disparities and inequities.

IOHSB reviewed four domains of Illinois’s oral health care system: oral health outcomes, access to care, intervention strategies, and workforce and intervention. Findings from the surveillance include:

• The proportion of Medicaid-insured children visiting an oral health professional decreased moderately from 2018 to 2021
• The number of Medicaid-enrolled children under 6 years of age receiving oral health services from a non-dentist provider decreased from 2018-2021
  
• In 2018, 11.3% of adults were unable to receive the oral health services they needed because they could not afford them
  
• From 2018-2021, the number of active licensed dentists currently working or employed in the oral health field increased from 10,175 to 11,568
  

The Oral Health Section envisions an Illinois in which all persons have access to quality and timely oral health care. To get there, the section recommends that Illinois leaders strengthen the oral health workforce, implement effective preventive care dental programs, and reduce overall disparities in oral health

As the new academic year begins, you should not only think about notebooks, textbooks, and backpacks. Parents and educators should dedicate part of their focus on nurturing children’s A+ smiles in time for and beyond the first day of school. As students organize supplies that will make them successful in school, equip them with healthy dental habits that will impact their ability to learn effectively, express themselves easily, and build self-confidence.

Oral health is a crucial part of a child’s overall well-being. Children who prioritize their oral health have been shown to perform better in school, form healthier social relationships, and achieve greater success later in life compared to their peers. Simply put, healthy children make better learners. With an A+ smile, a child is better positioned to commence the school year with confidence.

A dental check-up is a fantastic way to kickstart the year. Although the state mandates only specific grade levels to have a dental examination, the Oral Health Section encourages parents to schedule a dental examination for their child before school begins. This preventative measure helps safeguard a child’s oral health and contributes to their readiness to learn and to succeed. So a child's oral health is given the importance it deserves, the Illinois Department of Public Health has provided a useful dental examination form to be used during a child’s dental check-up. This form — designed to help parents and dental professionals make certain a child is on the right track — is available in English, Spanish, and French.

Attaining and maintaining good oral health status requires consistent effort. Throughout the year, parents should ensure their children are brushing twice daily, flossing regularly, drinking more water, eating less sugary and acidic foods, and incorporating more fruits and vegetables in their diets. Furthermore, teachers are encouraged to make oral health a topic of discussion in their classrooms. Remember, adopting good oral health habits goes beyond having that beautiful smile; it is about giving the child the best start in life. Therefore, as the new academic year begins, make certain every child is ready not just with their school supplies but with tools to sustain their A+ smiles too.

We are thrilled to introduce you to a transformative initiative that's making waves in the realm of oral health – the Oral Health Forum (OHF), a project under the wings of Heartland Alliance Health (HAH). Rooted in the mission to bridge health disparities among medically underserved communities, OHF is an embodiment of progress, equity, and positive change. At its core, OHF is a community-based endeavor that believes in improving health equity through comprehensive oral health initiatives. Anchored in data trends and resource assessments, OHF crafts community-centered models to cater to the unique needs of diverse populations across Illinois. The mission is clear – to address inequities in quality and access to oral health care and create sustainable, equitable solutions that seamlessly integrate oral care into primary care settings.

Among OHF's endeavors is its participation in the Healthy Smiles Healthy Growth (HSHG) project, which stands as a testament to its dedication to promoting oral health among children. The disease of dental caries is closely tied to poor diet, as is obesity in children; thus, participating in HSHG surveys is vital to improving oral health outcomes for children across the state. OHF has partnered with IDPH in collaboration with other partners on four HSHG surveys since 2008; completing the HSHG survey every five years. HSHG surveys have proven to offer insights, shedding light on the interplay between oral health and overall health in children. Notably, these surveys have revealed critical findings, including racial disparities in untreated dental caries rates and the profound impact of diet on oral health outcomes. The HSHG survey provides data by Illinois public health regions giving the opportunity to develop future targeted interventions by regions and specific populations to improve the wellbeing of children and reduce health inequalities. HSHG results provide progress on four Healthy People 2020 Health Objectives for children and continued progress can be tracked and compared to previous years, e.g., caries experience decreased from 52% in the 2013-2014 study to 42% in 2018-2019; untreated decay remained at 22%; dental sealants increased from 50% to 53%; and obesity decreased from 19% to 18% in the same period.

OHF's involvement in the project is not just an addition, it's a strategic move to delve into understanding the intricate relationship between oral health and overall well-being. As we explored OHF's journey, we had the privilege to speak with the director of OHF, Alejandra Valencia. She has been working with the Illinois Department of Public Health-Oral Health Section (IDPH-OHS) on several tasks, including applying for funding to support activities outside of IDPH-OHS, updating the HSHG protocols, contributing to IRB submissions, incorporating Spanish translation of all the parent/caregiver forms, and preparing calibration sessions for all HSHG screeners. “The involvement in HSHG surveys is vital to improving oral health outcomes for children across Illinois,” she said. OHF's role within the HSHG project is pivotal, from coordinating services and data collection to collaborating with schools and expert partners.

As OHF embarks on a future of transformation, their efforts extend beyond the HSHG project. “OHF is always considering developing innovative projects with partners to help advance the oral health of the most vulnerable populations, especially children,” Alejandra said. “Our collaboration with the Chicago Department of Public Health School-Based Oral Health (SBOH) Program and the Chicago Public Schools Office of Student Health and Wellness exemplifies that. We recently launched the Dental Equity Network of Care (DentEquity – Chicago), which is a network of community-based providers working together to provide follow-up treatment for children in need of care after receiving services through the SBOH program. DentEquity uses a cloud-based electronic referral system that is helping us close the loop of care, helping children to establish a community dental home”.

The Oral Health Section is delighted to introduce Lateefat Abiodun Mosaku, the new Oral Health Graduate Public Service Intern. Lateefat is a microbiologist with more than three years of experience. More so, she is a public health practitioner with a deep passion for improving public health in Africa and globally. She earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction in microbiology at Babcock University in Nigeria. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public health at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS).

Lateefat is a proactive professional who has worked on multiple projects to improve health care systems in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. As a project lead for her own non-governmental organization, “Give to Live Foundation” in Lagos, she works to bridge the divide between grassroots health care organizations and the national public health institution. In addition, with her background in microbiology, she has contributed to research studies and disease interventions. Lateefat continues to be a passionate advocate for equitable access to health care, seeking collaboration between nonprofit and profit organizations that would yield sustainable solutions for health disparities in Africa and beyond. Her personal experiences in Nigeria have fueled her determination to bridge the health care knowledge gap between developing countries like Nigeria and developed countries like the United States — something she continually contemplates in her current studies.

Lateefat is excited about the opportunity to work and learn in the Oral Health Section, recognizing its vital role in the public health system. As a team member, she will complete and maintain the Illinois Oral Health Resource Map project, gathering county-level data on dental providers, clinics, and other oral health resources. She will assist in developing the Oral Health Basic Screening Survey. She will also design the section’s quarterly newsletters, communicating oral health data, field stories, and IDPH news to stakeholders. Lateefat looks forward to leveraging her academic background and passion for health equity to promote oral health education and access to quality oral health care and preventative services.

Lateefat enjoys watching movies, listening to music, and traveling. She believes that exploring new places and immersing herself in diverse environments enriches her understanding of the world and enhances her ability to contribute meaningfully to the field of public health.

This past summer, Toluwanimi Akinlade joined the Oral Health Section (OHS) as a Metcalf intern. Tolu is a rising third year at the University of Chicago. As a student of public policy and economics, she is passionate about public health policies and interventions, especially in the implementation of evidence-based policies that benefit underrepresented communities.

During her time at IDPH, she helped update data for the Illinois Oral Health Resource Map, performed literature reviews concerning the use of emergency departments for non-traumatic dental conditions, and designed and contributed to the production of communication materials, which were shared with stakeholders. Tolu was an enthusiastic learner who enjoyed attending several webinars featuring other IDPH offices, local health departments, and advocacy organizations. She enjoyed working with OHS staff members and was motived throughout her internship by Dr. Mona Van Kanegan, OHS chief.

Tolu learned a lot during 10 short weeks. She learned first-hand how the Oral Health Section collaborates with other IDPH offices and how IDPH works with local health departments and private establishments. From the webinars she attended, she gleaned the value of information sharing among several groups working towards achieving better health outcomes. Most importantly, her engagement with the Illinois Oral Health Surveillance Plan helped form a better understanding of the importance and operation of data-driven surveillance in a state level public health system.

Tolu is grateful for her internship and is now even more motivated to pursue a career in public health. Following the internship, she is plans on improving her technical skills and seeking more public health and/or advocacy internship opportunities. She is also interested in learning more about the Illinois Medicaid program and how the legislature intersects with public health initiatives. After completing her bachelor's degree, Tolu intends on pursuing a master’s degree in public health.