Grant expands county’s dental clinic for kids

The McLean County Health Department's Dental Clinic has added a fourth operatory, using a $100,000 state grant. (Photo courtesy of the McLean County Health Department)

BLOOMINGTON – A state grant is paying off for McLean County kids’ dental health.

The McLean County Health Department’s Dental Clinic served 4,122 children in 2011, up 6.3 percent from 2010, thanks to the $100,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The health department used the money to convert an old waiting room into a fourth dental operatory, and then hired a second dental hygienist.

The health department is the primary provider for more than 13,000 McLean County children on Medicaid, as no other dental practice in the county routinely accepts Medicaid as a funding source, said Susan Albee, a registered nurse and MCHD’s community health services supervisor.

“With three operatories, we did the best we could. We saw as many children as we could. But obviously with that fourth one, we’re able to get more children in,” Albee said.

The fourth operator was only opened in August, so Albee said she expects 2012’s patient tally to be even greater.

The MCHD Dental Clinic serves eligible children and adults – by meeting financial requirements and residency status – by appointment only.

Dental health month

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The health department is offering up some tips to parents of young children:

• Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle or sippy-cup filled with milk, formula, juice or sweetened drink or even sleep at night at the breast. If your child must have a bottle to sleep, fill it with plain drinking water.
• Do not dip a pacifier in honey, syrup or anything with sugar, such as soda pop, fruit juice, Kool-Aid, sugar water, milk or formula.
• Clean your baby’s teeth after each feeding and before bedtime with a clean washcloth, gauze pad or a soft infant toothbrush.
• Teach your child to drink from a cup by 6 months of age and be weaned by 1 year.
• Be sure your child visits a dentist before 2 years of age. Schedule a checkup with your child’s dentist every six months.

Ryan Denham can be reached at ryan@wjbc.com.