ERIC Number: EJ884758
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-8405
EISSN: N/A
Oral Health Screening Using a Caries Detection Device
Tetuan, Theresa M.; McGlasson, Dawn; Meyer, Ileen
Journal of School Nursing, v21 n5 p299-306 2005
Children from low-income families are more likely to have dental disease and less likely to have regular dental care. Children's dental-related illnesses are responsible for more than 880,000 lost school days each year. The lack of reliable state-level data often makes monitoring the oral health of children a challenge. By conducting oral health screenings, school nurses could promote prevention and early identification of dental problems and could aid in the collection of data. This innovative project used a convenience sample of students to test a caries detection device. Children in Grades 3 and 6 (n = 2,622) received oral health screening by the school nurse using a noninvasive laser fluorescent dental device. Findings revealed that 82% of students referred to the dentists received dental care. School nurses can contribute to improving the oral health status of the school-age population by early detection of dental caries and referrals for a dental evaluation. (Contains 4 tables and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Dental Evaluation, School Nurses, Dental Health, Child Health, Identification, Access to Health Care, Minority Group Children, Low Income Groups, At Risk Persons, Health Promotion, Screening Tests, Prevention, Elementary School Students, Referral, Dentistry, White Students, African American Students, Hispanic American Students
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 3; Grade 6
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Kansas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A