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The Maternal and Child Health Bureau has defined children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) as those “who have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.”
According to the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs, 15.3 percent of children in Wisconsin have special health care needs. That translates to approximately 197,791 Wisconsin children under age 18. The Survey also identified dental health care as the largest unmet need for CYSHCN.
The Wisconsin Special Smiles Program goal is to build a statewide system to promote oral health as part of overall health and organize community resources to increase access to dental care for children and youth with special health care needs.
Regional Oral Health Coordinators (ROHC) who are registered dental hygienists will lead these efforts in each of the state’s five public health regions. Additionally, dentists with extensive experience working with CYSHCN will provide education and training for oral health professionals throughout Wisconsin.
- Training for dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants.
- Oral health education and training for children, parents, caregivers and teachers.
- Oral health education for medical personnel including physicians and nurses.
- Fluoride varnish and sealant programs.
- Targeted interactive case management to link families with services.
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For more information about our oral health initiatives for CYSHCN, please contact Diane Flanagan, Oral Health Project Manager/Regional Oral Health Coordinator, at (414) 292-4015.
DID YOU KNOW...
One in three patients with diabetes will experience dry mouth.
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