Spokane's Medical and Dental Providers Partner for Expanded Services

The Access to Baby and Child Dentistry "Expanded" program (ABCD"E") enables the medical and dental community to partner in making dental referrals as needed. ABCD"E" is now providing training to local pediatricians and family practice physicians in Spokane County.

Our thanks to Dr. Chris Olson and staff for being our first training site on January 16, 2002! Dr. Dale Ruemping, a pediatric dentist from the Valley and Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) ABCD"E" staff instructed the medical offices on basic oral health education, oral assessment, fluoride varnish applications and billing procedures which can be incorporated into their routine child/youth examinations.

As of October 2004, 34 medical offices around Spokane County have received this training. This includes 99 physicians and 295 office staff. The first 630 clients have already been served.

SRHD will be making follow-up visits including case management, outreach, linkage and referrals to these offices to answer questions and keep the program flowing as smoothly as possible. Pediatric and family practice offices will be participating in the program.

This is an exciting time for medical and dental providers as this is the first oral health program to partner both medical and dental professionals, and will serve as a pilot program both statewide and nationally.

In-service training is available by appointment at your own offices.

If you have any questions concerning the ABCD"E" program, please contact Ida Ovnicek, RDH, MPH, Oral Health Manager, Spokane Regional Health District: (509)324-1550.

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