Bright Smiles from Birth
BSFB Newsletter | Physician Resources | Dentist Resources | Family Resources
Bright Smiles from Birth is an ICAAP educational program that provides guidelines and support to Pediatricians and Family Physicians, Dentists, and families to make oral health a component of well child visits.
Bright Smiles from Birth is part of a pilot program in Cook County and Collar Counties that allows primary care providers to bill Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services or Medicaid for application of fluoride varnish. Federal Qualified Health Centers from across the state may also participate in the program.
Oral Health Resources
The following are general resources support physicians, dentists, and families alike in making oral health a priority for children:
Guidelines for providing oral health assessments
One of the most effective strategies to ensure oral health in children is to include oral health screenings in child well-visits. Oral health care screening is defined as the visual identification of clinical caries (ECC = Early Childhood Caries) in children 1-3 years old, and function as important supplementary care to primary dentistry care provided by the dental home. [...more]
Overview of application of fluoride varnish
Fluoride varnish is protective coating that can be painted on your child’s teeth by a dentist or doctor. There are many benefits to fluoride varnish including prevention of tooth decay. This worksheet engages some common questions regarding fluoride varnish. [...more]
Overview of referring patients to a dental home: DentaQuest and American Association of Pediatric Dentistry
ICAAP and Bright Smiles from Birth recommend DentaQuest and the AAPD as resources for physicians, dentists, and parents seeking pediatric dentistry referrals. [...more]
Overview of anticipatory guidance for parents: Family Resources
Bright Smiles from Birth has assembled resources for families to learn about oral health for their young children. Parents can find information about oral health strategies dealing with:
Baby teeth and early childhood caries
Plaque and tooth decay
How to brush and floss a child’s teeth
Fluoride prevention
Dietary habits
Dental visits and referrals
Community water fluoridation [...more]
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Bright Smiles from Birth was developed as a collaborative effort between ICAAP, the University of Illinois at Chicago pediatric dental program, the Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentists, Michael Reese Health Trust, and the Illinois Departments of Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services. The program is funded by the Illinois Children’s Health Care Foundation, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
ICAAP and Bright Smiles from Birth are looking for members to host oral health presentations in their practices. If you are interested or would like to learn more about this program, please contact:
Jennie Pinkwater
Director, Prevention Projects
1400 W. Hubbard
Chicago, IL 60642
312/733-1026, ext 213
Fax: 312/733-1791
jpinkwater@illinoisaap.com
