A Time Study Analysis of Fluoride Varnish Application in Pediatric Well Visits to Address Health Disparities among Children.

Dental decay is the most common chronic disease in children. Fluoride varnish (FV) is a preventive oral health service with proven effectiveness at reducing dental caries in dental and primary care settings. The objective of this study was to determine how long it takes to apply FV treatments during primary care well visits to address one of the most common barriers as reported by pediatricians - lack of time.

Second molar sealants among US adolescents and their association with select sociodemographic factors and first molar sealants: A cross-sectional study using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.

Background: Caries is an important public health concern. Dental sealants are effective in preventing caries; however, their uptake is suboptimal and little is known about second molar (2M) sealants. The authors examined the prevalence of 2M sealants among US adolescents and investigated the factors associated with their presence.

Cost-Savings of Fluoride Varnish Application in Primary Care for Medicaid-Enrolled Children in Virginia.

Objectives: To determine the cost-benefit of fluoride varnish application during pediatric well-visits for the Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program population in Virginia (VA) from a Medicaid payer perspective. To provide initial cost estimates from the primary care provider (PCP) perspective.

Study Design: A systematic search of recent literature was completed to obtain input data for a Monte Carlo cost-benefit simulation and for the fluoride varnish application time, labor, and materials costs for PCPs.

School-Based Dental Sealant Programs Prevent Cavities And Are Cost-Effective.

Untreated cavities can have far-reaching negative consequences for people's ability to eat, speak, and learn. By adolescence, 27 percent of low-income children in the United States will have untreated cavities. School-based sealant programs typically provide dental sealants (a protective coating that adheres to the surface of molars) at little or no cost to students attending schools in areas with low socioeconomic status.

Evaluation of School-Based Dental Sealant Programs: An Updated Community Guide Systematic Economic Review.

Context: A recently updated Community Guide systematic review of the effectiveness of school sealant programs (SSPs) still found strong evidence that SSPs reduced dental caries among schoolchildren. This follow-up systematic review updates SSP cost and benefit information from the original 2002 review.

Evidence Acquisition: Using Community Guide economic review methods, the authors searched the literature from January 2000 to November 20, 2014.

Balancing investments in Federally Qualified Health Centers and Medicaid for improved access and coverage in Pennsylvania.

Two common health disparities in the US include a lack of access to care and a lack of insurance coverage. To help address these disparities, healthcare reform will provide $11B to expand Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) over the next 5 years. In 2014, Medicaid rules will be modified so that more people will become eligible.

Public health sealant delivery programs: optimal delivery and the cost of practice acts.

Background: The greatest unmet health need for US children is dental care. School-based sealant programs target low-income, high-risk second graders and are effective in preventing caries for as long as the sealant material remains in place. However, it is not clear whether such programs make efficient use of available resources and staffing.