Skip to main content
2025 AAPD Annual Meeting Main banner
Cheng Crowns
Information & Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.
Presentation Icons
Ticket Required
Ticket Required
Sold Out
Sold Out
Recorded Session
Recorded Session
Rate ePoster

Other

403 - An Evaluation of Bertie County Schools’ Oral Health Program

Saturday, May 24, 2025
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM MDT
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Christian Penister, DMD

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    ECU School of Dental Medicine
    ECU School of Dental Medicine
    Greenville, North Carolina, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • VM

    Van Wallace McCarlie, Jr., DMD, PhD

    ECU School of Dental Medicine
    Greenville, North Carolina, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • RB

    Randall N. Ball, DDS, MS

    Clinical Associate Professor
    ECU School of Dental Medicine
    Greenville, North Carolina, United States

Abstract:

Purpose: This study evaluates the Bertie County Schools’ Oral Health Program (BCOHP), highlighting its significance and impact on vulnerable populations in North Carolina, where access to healthcare remains an important problem. The BCOHP provides pediatric patients a screening where if dental need is identified a referral is made to East Carolina University’s School of Dental Medicine (ECU SoDM), its Community Service-Learning Center (CSLC) in Ahoskie or any private-office dentist. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of these referrals. 


Methods: The study was IRB approved, and we conducted retrospective chart reviews of pediatric dental patients referred by the program over 5.5 years (January 2019 – July 2024) and analyzed the quantity of time elapsed between initial referral and start of treatment, including between those identified with less need and those with more treatment need.


Results: Of 1,053 screened, 377 patients with dental need were identified and referred (36%). Of those referred, 51% had moderate need while 49% had severe need. A two-sample t-test showed no difference between treatment time means of those with moderate need and severe need (P-value=.69). Of those referred, 66% received follow up treatment and established a dental home, close to 35% higher than a similar 2020 study in another state.

Conclusion: This study illuminates how the BCOHP program is effective in identifying substantial dental need and in providing critical referrals to support the BCOHP and the establishment of similar programs to improve access to care. 




 

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: