June 2008

SUCCESSFUL GARAGE SALE
The Family Transition Team’s 4th Annual Garage Sale on Friday, May 16th was a huge success. Thanks to Kerry Wallaert and her Residence Life staff at the University who coordinated the collection of donated items from students. Thanks to Teen Challenge for helping to transport items from the university to the sale location. Thanks to Sister Theresa Davey and Father David for allowing us to host our sale at the St. Vincent de Paul Center. Thanks to all who volunteered their time and to all who donated items to be sold.  A profit of approximately $1000 was made. These funds will help the Family Transition Team in assisting individuals and families with special needs.

MESSY MORNING DONATION TO FAMILY TRANSITION TEAM
Another special thank you goes to Child Care Resource and Referral, Educare, University Child Enrichment Center and other agencies who hosted the Messy Morning event in April. The profits from this event, totaling $2005, were presented to Kay Azuma at the Annual Child Care Provider Recognition Breakfast on May 17. These funds will also be used to help meet the unmet needs of families and individuals in our community.

ORAL HEALTH COALITION
Thanks to Dorothy Gholson, our Oral Health Coordinator, and the collaboration of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and members of the Oral Health Coalition, the Community Caring Council is improving the oral health of area youth.

• 8 dentists, 5 dental hygienists and 24 dental assistants were trained by DHSS staff during this past year to implement screenings and fluoride varnish applications.
• 13 dental professionals and 16 support staff members provided the following dental screenings and fluoride varnish applications in Cape Girardeau County during this past year:        
  • 20 schools: 2379 students screened; 835 students received fluoride varnish
  • 15 preschools: 352 children (2-5 year olds) screened; 324 children received fluoride varnish
• Of those youth screened:
  • 345 youth needed early dental treatment
  • 179 youth needed immediate (urgent) dental treatment
  • 10 youth were assisted with securing a dental appointment
  • 6 youth were assisted financially through United Way funds.
• Approximately 125 copies of “If You Are Pregnant” brochures (PDF 82KB) have been distributed at 5 locations. Several calls have been received by the Oral Health Coordinator from pregnant moms requesting assistance in seeking dental treatment.
• Oral health displays were provided at four community events and a display was featured at Riverside Regional Library in Jackson for Dental Health Month in February.
• Oral health educational presentations were made at Cape Area Family Resource Center for 25 children and at Egyptian School in Tamms, IL for 120 children.
• Approximately 500 pamphlets on the Fluoride Varnish Program and children’s dentition were provided for parents at the Cape Girardeau and Jackson kindergarten enrollment events.

Other Noteworthy Accomplishments

• The Missouri Oral Health Program has a website featuring dental providers and children from Cape Girardeau County that are being screened (www.mohealthysmiles.org).
• The Missouri Oral Health Program now offers the dental screening/fluoride varnish training online for dental personnel.
• Five dental providers have agreed to collaborate with us in treating youth with urgent dental needs.

Unmet Dental Needs
Several years ago, Missouri Medicaid coverage deleted all dental services for adults. Due to the increasing costs of medical insurance, many employers no longer offer dental insurance to their employees. Many, many adults choose to ignore the condition of their teeth and that of their children until an emergency situation arises. 

The Oral Health Coalition is striving to change those attitudes through education of parents and children about good oral hygiene and regular visits to a dental provider. The dental screenings in the schools and preschools, along with the fluoride varnish applications, are great tools for improving the overall dental health of these individuals.

The next step is to ensure that the youth identified as having urgent needs are able to access the prescribed treatment. Barriers to that treatment include lack of financial resources to pay for services, transportation to those services and the challenge of finding a dental provider. The Coalition is attempting to address these issues and encourage anyone in need of dental treatment to contact Oral Health Coordinator Dorothy Gholson at 651-3747, ext 119.

Collaborating Partners
The Oral Health Coalition consists of two dentists, an orthodontist, a school nurse from Cape Public Schools, and representatives from the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital, Head Start, Missouri Children’s Division, United Way of Southeast Missouri, and Cross Trails Medical Center. Dr. Janet Ruopp, DDS, serves as the Chair of the Coalition.

Interested in joining our Coalition?
New members are very welcome. Our next meeting is Wednesday, June 4 at 6pm at the Kasten Community Development Center, 937 Broadway, Suite 102. If you would like more information, please contact Kay Azuma, Community Coordinator at azumakk@yahoo.com or at (573) 651-3747 x 104.

Kay Azuma
Community Coordinator