(Page 1 of 7) - Maine School Oral Health Initiative Program Evaluation authored by Jackson, Courtney.

Maine School Oral Health Initiative Program Evaluation

INTRODUCTION

This research is a case study of the use of sociological research methods to evaluate the
effectiveness of a public health initiative. Between 2000 and 2002, The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention funded the Maine State Oral Health Initiative (MSOHI)
to develop a comprehensive evaluation of the Maine School Oral Health Program, a state-
wide, school-based prevention program that provides education, fluoride mouthrinse and
dental screenings. One component of the comprehensive evaluation was a quantitative
analysis of schools in Maine, specifically comparing schools with an oral health program
to those without. The MSOHI Steering Committee was interested in determining
whether or not programs were located in schools with the greatest need. Sociological
research methods were used to develop eligibility guidelines by which schools can be
accepted into the program. This paper summarizes applied research conducted for the
Maine State Oral Health Program.

Maine is a large and primarily rural state. Oral health care for many people in Maine,
particularly low -income children and adults, has been a neglected and fragmented part of
general health care. Access to dental care in Maine has been termed a crisis by many. In
certain areas of the state there are insufficient numbers of dental care providers. Cost of
dental care is also an issue for many families. The limited public health infrastructure in
Maine makes provision of services difficult at the local level. However, community and
school-based dental sealant programs in schools utilizing dental hygienists appear to be a
useful way to increase the provision of a safe and effective prevention modalities. The
established School Oral Health Program, a statewide prevention program provides an
ideal point from which to increase implementation of school-based or linked oral health
services.

The state Oral Health Program (OHP), a program of the Maine Bureau of Health oversees
the statewide School Oral Health Program (SOHP), a school-based education, fluoride
mouthrinse, screening and dental sealant program for elementary schools. This twenty-
five year old program currently offers small grants to 81 programs in all 16 counties of
the state. Approximately 48,500 children in grades K – 6 in 252 elementary schools are
involved, about 40% of children in those grades statewide.

METHODS

Analysis of existing data was used to compare schools with an SOHP to those without.
Bivariate maps were created so that a spatial analysis could be conducted. In addition,
logistic regression analysis was used to predict having/not having a School Oral Health
Program. The Steering Committee agreed on a set of indicators to include in the analysis
and is summarized below:

Variables Included in the Analysis