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Oral Health Screening Using a Caries Detection DeviceTheresa M. Tetuan, RN, PhD, CNS, CHES, is clinic nurse manager at Stormont Vail Health Care, Cotton O’Neil Clinic, Topeka, KS
Dawn McGlasson, RDH, BSDH, is deputy director of the Office of Oral Health, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Topeka, KS
Ileen Meyer, RN, MS, is section director, Children, Youth & Families, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Topeka, KS 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.
Key Words: caries screening device • DIAGNOdent® • follow-up • oral health • referral • school nurse
The Journal of School Nursing, Vol. 21, No. 5,
299-306 (2005) This article has been cited by other articles:
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