Oral Health in Elementary School Students
An Evaluation of the Oregon Smile and Healthy Growth Screening
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47611/jsr.v12i3.1987Keywords:
cavity, children, dental hygienist, oral health, Oregon Smile and Healthy Growth Screening, school, screening, tooth decayAbstract
Cavities—a result of progressed tooth decay—are 100% preventable, and yet they are the most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States. If left untreated, cavities can cause health complications, and in rare cases, death. Therefore, addressing tooth decay in children proves crucial for ensuring their long-term health. The Oregon Smile and Healthy Growth Screening (previously known as the Oregon Smile Survey), a statewide effort conducted every five years, identifies oral health concerns and provides the state with a broad understanding of childhood oral health status. The screening process serves as a way for state public health officials to communicate with caretakers and encourage them to seek dental care for their children. Furthermore, screening results enable policymakers to create more effective, preventative policies, programs, and services to reduce oral health problems and disparities. This article analyzes Oregon Smile Surveys from 2002-2017, comparing their respective methods and results. In addition, it examines the research methods used in the current 2022 Oregon Smile and Healthy Growth Screening and offers preliminary sets of recommendations for ways to improve the screening process in Oregon. Data informing the screening recommendations come from participant observations gathered during a spring 2023 internship with the Oregon Health Authority on the 2022 Oregon Smile and Healthy Growth Screening.
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