Maintenance

How feasible is it to maintain the intervention? What role should a public health department play in making sure the intervention is adopted and maintained?

Maintenance: Focus on how intervention effects will be sustained over time, the improvement of oral health and a shift towards prevention

The_Ohio_State_University_College_of_Dentistry_sealohio                                      ohiomap

1. Community Water Fluoridation (CWF):

  • Implementation of a safe and cost effective intervention
  • Requires partnerships between public, private and non-profit stakeholders
  • Additionally, state and local health officials, water plant engineers, dental providers, physicians, consumers and educators contribute to the continued use of community water fluoridation

 

2. Coordinated School Health Programs:

  • School-based screenings/sealant delivery programs require partnerships between state and local health department oral health programs

  • Additionally, State Board of Dentistry, dental schools and school staff help implement and maintain these programs

 

3. Additional Programs:

  • Maintaining these programs varies based on the provider and target population
  • Requires the incorporation of public education, prevention programs and substantial contribution from the health department
  • Outreach programs that are targeted at high-risk populations utilize local non-profit organizations to maintain the programs effectiveness and efficacy
  • Collaboration with dental schools, special interest groups and state and local health department oral health programs