"I’m excited to share that the I-Smile program and its companion initiative, Cavity Free Iowa, have been highlighted by the Consortium for Oral Health Systems Integration and Improvement as exemplary statewide programs!" -
Dr. J Michael Metts
I-Smile is a statewide program of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) that connects pregnant women and children and their families in Iowa with oral health, medical, and community resources to help ensure a lifetime of health and wellness.
Cavity Free Iowa (CFI), a program linked to I-Smile, aims to boost oral health screenings and care for children from birth to age 6 in Iowa during well-child visits. This includes oral health screenings, fluoride varnish applications, anticipatory guidance, and dental referrals. Local I-Smile coordinators also provide training and assist with referrals.
CFI's workgroup has now joined the Oral Health Iowa, a statewide coalition, to expand awareness and integration of medical and dental care. The workgroup includes representatives from various organizations such as Iowa HHS, Broadlawns Dental Clinic, Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation, local I-Smile coordinators, Iowa’s Medicaid program, pediatricians, and nonprofit dental clinics.
Updates:
- Iowa was one of five state programs selected by the consortium “think tank” to spotlight within a report, Integrating Oral Health Care into Primary Care and a stand-alone spotlight summaries.
Upcoming Webinars:
Session 2: Closing the Divide Webinar Educational Series, Integrating Medical and Dental Systems in Iowa:
Open Wide: Expanding Medical Practice to Include Oral Health
Monday, November 4, 2024. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Virtual
Join our virtual educational session to learn how oral health services can be incorporated within medical visits for children and adults in Iowa. Oral health services can be part of medical visits, helping ensure overall health of children and adults. Learn about some of the ways this is happening in Iowa, and how they may be replicated. Speakers include Dr. Mike Metts, a Des Moines pediatrician; Carole Ferch, I-Smile Silver Coordinator for Scott County Health Department; and Dr. Christina Scherrer, professor at Kennesaw State University.
If you want to learn more about this initiative or become involved in IA AAP's Oral Health initiative, please contact the Executive Director, Kristina Seier, or our current Chapter Champion, Dr. J Michael Metts.
