COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

DATE:

March 4, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 23, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director of Health Services

Brian Zamora, Director of Public Health and Environmental Protection

SUBJECT:

Amendment to the Agreement with the State Department of Health Services for the Children's Dental Disease Prevention Program

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an amendment to the agreement with the State Department of Health Services for the Children's Dental Disease Prevention Program.

Background

Dental disease remains the most prevalent condition found in low-income children who receive health exams from the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP) in San Mateo County. Public Health data for FY 2002-03 show that 613 of 922, or 64%, of children who received dental screenings had dental problems.

Since 1992, San Mateo County has contracted with the California Department of Health Services (DHS) to offer a dental disease prevention program. This program, called "Brighter Bites", is one of few school-based programs specifically directed to reduce the rate of dental disease among children. Brighter Bites operates in areas of the county that are non-fluoridated or partially fluoridated, and in schools with a high percentage of students enrolled in the free school lunch program. Targeted schools are located in the following school districts: Jefferson, Ravenswood, Redwood City, and Cabrillo.

Discussion

Components of the Brighter Bites program include weekly fluoride mouth rinses for thirty weeks; plaque control via daily tooth brushing; classroom oral health education; and dental sealant screening and application of sealants as indicated.

This amendment provides additional funds to incorporate a nutrition education component for parents of Brighter Bites children.

Consistent with contract approval level limitations in County Administrative Memorandum B-1, the Director of Health Services will be authorized to execute further amendments and modifications to this agreement, not to exceed $25,000 in aggregate.

Program Indicator

FY 2001-02 Actual

FY 2002-03 Actual

FY 2003-04 Estimated

Number of children participating in the Brighter Bites program

3,000

2,975

3,000

Number of children receiving dental screening

0

434*

200

Number of children receiving dental sealants

0

95

120

Number of parents who receive nutrition education packets

N/A

81

1,500

* In FY 2002-03, the County received funding from the Health Plan of San Mateo for dental screenings and application of sealants. This is why there is a substantial increase in the number of screenings.

Vision Alignment

The contract with the State Department of Health Services keeps the commitment of ensuring basic health and safety for all and goal number 5: Residents have access to health care and preventive care. It also keeps the commitment that leaders work together across boundaries to preserve and enhance our quality of life and goal number 23: Leaders throughout the County provide the impetus for broader regional solutions in land use, housing, childcare, education, health and transportation. The contract contributes to these commitments and goals since the program works collaboratively with various school districts to promote good dental health and reduction in dental disease among at-risk children.

Fiscal Impact

The amendment is effective July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2004. Additional funding amounts to $1,227, and is to be applied to the second and third year of the agreement. The funding for FY 2002-03 was increased by $920 to $25,349; for FY 2003-04, the funding is increased by $307 to $24,736. The revenue and expenses for the program have been included in the approved FY 2003-04 budget. The small amount of additional funding will be included in the year-end ATR. There is no net County cost.