COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

December 20, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 9, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Brian J. Zamora, Director, Public Health & Environmental Protection Division

   

SUBJECT:

Application to the California Department of Health Services for the Dental Disease Prevention Program

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing submission of an application to the California Department of Health Services for the Children’s Dental Disease Prevention Program for Fiscal Years 2007-2010.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensuring basic health and safety for all.

Goal(s) 5 & 8: Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care; Help vulnerable people – the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth, and others – achieve a better quality of life.

 

The funding provided by this grant contributes to this commitment and the goals by allowing Public Health staff to work collaboratively with various school districts to promote oral health and prevent dental disease among at-risk children.

 

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2006-07
Projected

FY 2007-08
Projected

Number of Children Participating in the “Brighter Bites” Oral Health Education Program

3,000

3,000

Percentage of children in 2nd and 5th grades who show increased knowledge of dental care as measured by pre- and post-tests

20%

25%

 

BACKGROUND:

Dental disease has been identified by the Health Department as one of the most common health problems in low-income children who receive exams through the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP). The Brighter Bites dental program, which is a part of CHDP, includes providing children with weekly fluoride rinses for 30 weeks and plaque control through daily tooth brushing, classroom oral health education, and dental sealant screening and application of sealants as indicated.

 

For many years, the California Department of Health Services has provided annual funding of the Brighter Bites dental program. While the program serves children in grades preschool through six, the grant requires pre- and post-testing for grades two and five, which provides an adequate sample of the target population. Information acquired from the test results is used for overall program enhancement for all grades.

 

DISCUSSION:

In the past the funding for the Brighter Bites dental program has required approval by the Board of Supervisors upon receipt of the grant. This year the State has requested that initial applications include governing board approval. The application was received in late September and was due on December 1st. Staffing changes within Public Health resulted in a longer processing time than expected. The State allowed submission of the application with the understanding that a resolution by the Board would be forthcoming. If approval is not granted, the application can be withdrawn.

 

This grant provides the Health Department with annual funding for supplies and a portion of a position to administer the Brighter Bites program, which is the only oral health promotion and dental disease prevention program for 3,000 low-income children in targeted schools, grades preschool through six.

 

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

This grant for dental disease prevention totals $90,000 for fiscal years 2007-2010, or $30,000 for each fiscal year. This represents a slight increase of $3,500 from the previous funding cycle. The grant requires a County match of $22,306, which consists of staff time and operating expenses. This amount is similar to the County match required in previous years. If the grant is approved, these appropriations will continue and result in no additional Net County Cost.