46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

REQUESTING COORDINATION OF A STATEWIDE EFFORT TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES PROGRAM.

WHEREAS, national dental associations and experts recommend dental referrals for all children as early in their lives as one year; and

WHEREAS, it is further recommended that pregnant women seek dental care between their fourth and sixth months of pregnancy; and

WHEREAS, studies indicate that eighteen percent of pre-term births may be due to mothers' untreated periodontal disease; and

WHEREAS, there is a serious shortage of dentists in New Mexico who are willing to care for children and adults in the medicaid program; and

WHEREAS, head start and early head start programs are mandated by federal performance standards to address the oral health care needs of the children and pregnant women they serve; and

WHEREAS, a comprehensive early childhood caries program should include the extension of dental benefits to all women of child-bearing age; and

WHEREAS, childhood caries, the causative agent of which is "streptococcus mutans", is the most prevalent form of disease in early childhood; and

WHEREAS, dental sealants can only be applied to children aged six to seven years or older, must be applied by a dentist or qualified dental hygienist and require special equipment; and

WHEREAS, an innovative fluoride varnish program has been implemented that protects infants' and toddlers' teeth as soon as they erupt, requires no special equipment and can be applied by trained non-dental providers; and

WHEREAS, an early childhood caries program includes the application of fluoride varnish, fosters prevention and improves dental health education during well-child check-ups; and

WHEREAS, numerous entities engaged in the provision of dental services and dental education have expressed interest in implementing such a program in New Mexico;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the university of New Mexico health sciences center division of dental services be requested to create a task force to coordinate efforts to develop a comprehensive early childhood caries program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that head start and early head start programs, the department of health, the New Mexico board of dental health care, the children, youth and families department, a statewide voluntary council addressing oral health issues and other groups with expertise in childhood dental care be included in the task force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force examine and evaluate known fluoride varnish projects and develop recommendations regarding training costs, data collection needs and desired outcomes for children; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report recommendations to the interim legislative health and human services committee at its October 2003 meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the university of New Mexico health sciences center division of dental services, head start and early head start programs, the university of New Mexico dental services, the department of health, the New Mexico board of dental health care, the children, youth and families department, a statewide, voluntary council addressing oral health issues and other groups with expertise in childhood dental care.