Some Black Belt counties among others experiencing decline in child oral health, says ADPH report

Several counties in the Black Belt region are among others experiencing a decline in child oral health due to lack of access to medical care, says a report from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). 

The report says that dental services is particularly short in Greene County in the West Central Public Health District, which reportedly has no private dental providers. 

"The OHCA’s State Oral Health Plan highlights children in Greene County face a high risk of dental caries and lack access to a dental home," it says. "Poor oral hygiene is also linked to physical health issues. Consequently, the district has prioritized improving oral health care for pregnant women and individuals aged 21 years and younger."

In an effort to alleviate the situation the County Health Department Women, Children and Infants or CHD WIC conducted a series of screenings and found 498 people in need of services. 

A collaboration was formed to provide services in July 2021, which included exams, cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, and silver diamine fluoride treatments. 

The Tuscaloosa County Health Department, with the UAB Community Dental Health Program, held screenings at Eutaw Primary School. Together they screened 214 Pre-K students at elementary schools in the Tuscaloosa County School System. 

Each child that was screened received a dental kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and a brushing timer. 

The district Maternal and Child Health coordinator took part in community events in Greene, Hale, and Tuscaloosa Counties, to distribute dental information and promotional items. 

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In the Southwestern Public Health District there were declines in Marengo and Wilcox Counties. 

"Marengo dropped from fifty-fourth in 2020 to fifty-seventh in 2021 and maintained this rank in 2022," said the report. "Wilcox County consistently remained the lowest at sixty-seventh in both 2021 and 2022, highlighting specific challenges, including a 3 percent rate of uninsured children and a high child poverty rate of 29 percent."

In Marengo there was a 4% rate of uninsured children along with a high child poverty rate of 30% recorded in 2022.

The district sought to address these concerns by kicking off a Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment or EPSDT campaign to identify and treat dental issues for children under 21. 

"The district provided a list of Medicaid-eligible patients overdue for EPSDT visits to CHD staff in Marengo and Wilcox Counties, who then contacted potential patients for scheduling," according to the report.

"The district MCH coordinator conducted outreach and education to local clinics and community groups, promoting EPSDT screenings. Radio and newspaper ads were also used for outreach."

The counties were able to achieve a 15% increase in EPSDT visits for 2022. 89 screenings were held in Wilcox that resulted in referrals for dental care, CRS, mental health, vision, hearing, lead screenings, and followup appointments.

76 screenings were completed in Wilcox, leading to referrals for dental care, CRS, vision, additional lead screening, and follow-up appointments. A 15 percent increase in EPSDT visits is projected in the district in 2023.