Outcome 3 - Dental Public Health Flashcards
What is Epidemiology?
Epidemiology is the study of how and why a health problem occurs in a population as well as how the health problem can be controlled or prevented. Data is collected and surveys conducted in order to identify risk factors. Understanding these risk factors and what causes them is used to determine policies and treatments provided by dental public health agencies.
The development of dental public health policies and programs follow these steps:
Observation >
Hypothesis >
Epidemiologic study or survey >
Statistics and data analysis >
Policy (treatment or prevention)
Dental Public Health Key Policy Indicators
Key policy indicators drive dental public health initiatives. They are derived from the statistical data collected during an epidemiological study or survey. This data is often reveiewed in terms of the occurrence of disease in a community or the incidence of disease within that community.
The occurence of disease may be measured in one of two ways:
Prevalence - the total number of cases existing in the population at any one time
Incidence - the number of new cases occuring in a given period of time
Because of the chronic nature of most dental diseases – prevalence rates which reflect both recent cases and the backlog due to neglect are much higher than incidence rates.
Prevalence vs. Incidence example
The data reveals that 72% of the surveyed children had dental caries present in their mouth (prevalence) to some degree over the two years that the study was conducted. During this time period, seven new cases were diagnosed each month in the public dental clinics (incidence).
What is the ultimate goal of dental public health?
The ultimate goal of dental public health is to make dental treatment and care accessible to all. Policy indicators play an important role in public health initiatives.
There are many public health programs offered through Alberta Health Services (AHS)
Example of few services for public are:
-Patient and families
-Continuing Care/Seniors
-Indigenous Health
Who is eligible for Community Oral Health?
-Infants, childrens, families, adults and seniors
-Targeted communities & groups
What does Community Oral Health cover?
Preventative service only
(Varies according to client/age group)
Who is eligible for Public Health Dental Clinics?
-Individuals and families with limited income that do not have a dental plan
-Eligibility based on income & family size
-Clients must apply
-Download application from website
What does Public Health Dental Clinics cover?
-Reduced fee dental care
-Emergency dental care involving extractions, and basic services (including checkups, cleanings, xrays, and fillings)
- Clinic does not operate like a private dental office and dones see dental emergencies
-Appointment times are an estimate and wait times may vary
Who is eligible for AB Children’s Hospital Dental Clinic?
-Children, infants and teens with medical, physical and/or mental health conditions
-Referral letter required and can be faxed
What is covered at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Dental Clinic?
-There is a fee for dental services provided
-The dental clinic will complete and submit insurance/benefit forms as required
-Linked to Cleft Palate and Craniofacial clinic
Who is eligible for Foothills Medical Centre Dental Clinic?
-People with medical, physical, and/or mental health conditions
-Referral required and can be faxed or mailed
What is covered at Foothills Medical Centre Dental Clinic?
There is a fee for dental services required
- the dental clinic will complete and submit insurance/benefit forms as required
Who is eligible for the Alex Dental Health Bus?
-Youth 6-24 years old
-Clients of the Youth Alex Health Centre
-Students at partnership school
What is covered at the Alex Dental Health Bus?
-Oral health screenings and referral for treatment
-Hygiene services - scaling, polish fluoride
-Dental sealants
Who is eligible for Alberta Works?
-People and their dependants who are receiving income support (social assistance)
What is covered at Alberta Works?
-People who cannot work are eligible for supplemental coverage (basic dental services and dentures)
-People who can work are eligible for standard coverage (limited to pain and oral infection relief and dentures)
-The health benefits card will indicate level of coverage (standard or supplemental dental)
-Show health benefit card to a dental provider
Who is eligible for Alberta Adult Health Benefit?
People who leave income support or AISH and have employment or Canada Pension Plan Disability program.
Pregnant women.
People with ongoing prescription drug needs.
Eligibility also based on income.
What is covered by Alberta Adult Health Benefit?
Basic services (extractions, fillings, etc.) and in some cases teeth cleaning.
See on-line policy manual for details on who has what coverage.
Client must show benefit card to dental provider
Who is eligible for Alberta Child Health Benefit?
Children under the age of 18 years(19 if attending high school) in low-income families.
Eligibility based on income and number of eligible children in the family.
Must apply. Call for an application or download from website
What is covered by Alberta Child Health Benefit?
-Free basic health benefits and routine dental services
-Show benefit card to a dental provider
Who is covered by AISH?
AISH clients and their dependents
