Our patients are low-income, medically/dentally underserved populations, including migrant and seasonal farmworkers. And our goal is to expand and better serve Colorado’s northeastern plains where there are too few medical and dental professionals, and where it’s therefore really hard for individuals and families to access care.
The SMILES Dental Project® came along at just the right time. Salud is poised to take on this new model – first in Fort Morgan, then in Sterling – and we’re currently putting all the necessary mechanics in place. At this stage, Fort Morgan RDH Elaine Moncibias is aiming to kick off SMILES in local schools in the fall: currently, she and our Fort Morgan team are establishing what they need – in terms of equipment and infrastructure – to better provide care to residents in community and school settings, including those in remote, rural locations, and regardless of finances, insurance coverage, or ability to pay.
As well, Salud staff, clients and community members work together as advocates to influence healthcare legislation and policy. Along with the Colorado Dental and Dental Hygiene associations, we champion positive disruptions and forward-thinking innovations like the expansion of RDHs’ scope of practice to include Interim Therapeutic Restorations (House Bill 15-1309). I’m ITR-certified, and I know first-hand how expanding the skills-set of RDHs better serves patients in areas where access to care is limited.
Interested in ITR training at the Community College of Denver (CCD) Dental Hygiene School this summer? Learn more, and download the Application for Approval to Place InterimTherapeutic Restorations (ITRs).
In fact, I had a wonderful situation happen a couple weeks ago during my school screenings in Idalia (I have
been going to Idalia for about 10 years to perform screenings, fluorides and sealants): one day, one of my last patients – Erick, a high school senior – came to me very excited and said, “I’m so glad you called me, because I wanted to say ‘hi’ and that I’m graduating in May. I received a full-ride university scholarship starting next fall, and I wanted to say goodbye and thank you for seeing me each year. I started seeing you in 2nd grade when you placed my sealants.”
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| RDH Jackie Alexander with longtime patient Erick Enriquez, 18 |
It was such a rewarding experience to realize how many young people we’ve seen over the years, and how important our services are to their overall well-being.
Through SMILES, we can do a lot more – sooner – for kids like Erick. That’s why we’re committed to getting SMILES working like a fine machine in Fort Morgan, first, and then implementing the pilot program in other areas, too – also including Yuma, and towns like Holyoke and Julesburg where there are few or no oral healthcare providers.
The potential impact is significant: between Elaine and me, we provide thousands of dollars’ worth of services to thousands of kids per school year. Through SMILES – and the added capability to provide ITRs when needed – the reach and value of the services we provide will be even greater.
In addition to its scalability, what also sets SMILES apart is that it’s designed to be sustained long-term – not like some programs that sound great, but ultimately don’t have staying power.
It’s a very exciting time in dentistry. The SMILES Dental Project®, in particular, is an exciting opportunity for more kids – who otherwise wouldn’t have access to dental care – to get the preventive care and treatment they need and deserve.
