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AAPD Foundation to Announce New Developments in Perinatal Oral Health Care

At its upcoming Annual Meeting in Orlando, the AAPD Foundation will announce two exciting new initiatives in the area of perinatal oral health care. First, the AAPD is the recipient of a 5-year, $1 million grant from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration. Second, details of the much anticipated “New Parent Kit” will be revealed. Both of these achievements mark unprecedented advancements in the area of perinatal oral health care.

First, through the “Improving Perinatal Oral Health” 5-year grant, the AAPD hopes to:

• Expand availability of perinatal oral health care.
  • Disseminate resources on dental care for pregnant women to clinicians, health educators and patients.
  • Promote policymakers’ actions to expand access to perinatal dental services.
• Expand availability of infant oral health care.
  • Expand adoption of the age one dental visit and dental home policies by pediatric and general dentists.
  • Expand dental care for infants at greatest risk for early oral disease.
  • Promote availability of Medicaid and SCHIP coverage for infant oral health visits.
• Raise public awareness regarding dental care for pregnant women and newborn babies.
  • Target AAPD’s public awareness campaign (Good Health Starts Here) to pregnant women.
  • Promote inclusion of perinatal oral health components in public health campaigns. 

“We are excited to be the recipients of this grant,” said Foundation President Joel H. Berg. “We are eager to expand the public’s awareness about the importance of an expectant mother’s dental care, as well as the appropriate dental care she should provide her newborn baby.”

Coordinated in conjunction with the Children’s Dental Health Project (CDHP) (which serves as the program office and grant administrator), the project will run April 2005 through March 2010.

In addition to the announcement of the grant, the AAPD will provide details on the dissemination of the, “New Parent Kit.” Underwritten by a generous grant from Henry Schein, Inc., the kit seeks to strengthen the link between medicine and dentistry and improve access to health care for underserved populations.

To emphasize that parent and infant oral health care are related, the kit will contain both adult and children items. For adults, there will be toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, dental rinse, Xylitol gum and information on oral health care and product usage. Infant items will include toothbrushes, Xylitol wipes and tooth care training kits.

The kits will be distributed to every new parent throughout 2006-08 at the following hospitals:

• Columbia University Children’s Hospital
• University of Washington Medical Center
• University of Tennessee/Crittenden Memorial Hospital
• The Ohio State University Children’s Hospital/Children’s Research Institute 

At the end of the two-year trial period, CDHP, under the direction of Founding Director Burton L. Edelstein, and the four hospitals will evaluate the project.

“It will be interesting to see if because of these kits, parent’s awareness of the importance of an early dental visit increases,” said Dr. Edelstein. “We are also hopeful it will lead to better dental care for children at an early stage of their life.”

The AAPD is pleased to have partnered with the Henry Schein on this important endeavor. “We are proud to have joined forces with one of largest distributors of health care products,” said AAPD Executive Director John S. Rutkauskas. “Through the distribution of these kits, we will be able to reach thousands of families and increase their awareness of the importance of a child’s dental care.”

Founded in 1947, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is the non-profit membership organization representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. The AAPD’s over 6,000 members are primary care providers who also provide comprehensive specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents and patients with special health care needs. As advocates of children’s oral health, the AAPD works closely with legislators, professional associations and health care professionals to develop policies and guidelines, implement research opportunities in pediatric oral health, and educate pediatric dentists, health care providers and the public regarding pediatric oral health. For further information, please visit our Web site at http://www.aapd.org/.

The Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization, advances policies that improve children's access to oral health. Established in 1997 as a strategic alliance of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Education Association, CDHP forges research-driven policies and innovative solutions by engaging a broad base of partners committed to children and oral health. More information on CDHP is available at http://www.cdhp.org/.

Henry Schein, Inc., a Fortune 500® company, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company’s four business groups – Dental, Medical, International and Technology – serve more than 450,000 customers worldwide, including dental practices and laboratories, physician practices and veterinary clinics, as well as government and other institutions. The Company’s sales reached a record $3.4 billion in 2003. The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 125 countries with a comprehensive selection of over 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products.  Headquartered in Melville, NY, Henry Schein employs more than 10,000 people in 17 countries. For further information, please visit http://www.henryschein.com/.