After the caregivers are provided with a one-on-one dental education session, they may choose a participating ABCD dentist. The program allows more frequent visits to the dentist and the use of treatments previously not covered by Medicaid. The ideal situation is to have the dentist begin seeing an infant from the time the first tooth appears or at least by their first birthday. As part of the project, caregivers are educated on the importance of good oral health care. Topics include: how to help their children be cooperative patients, how to make and keep appointments, including appropriate dental protocol, ways for caregivers to avoid transferring their own dental fears to their children, and other health education information.

Specific outcomes from the objectives of the program include: improvement in provider/client relationships, reduction of oral disease, increase in healthy oral/dental habits and hygiene, increase family support, improved health status for children, consumer satisfaction, improved dental access, and enhanced preventive benefits.
Clearly, the interval from conception to three years is the most dramatic period of growth and development for children. It is these early years that are targeted in the ABCD Program.

The ABCD Program Benefits Include:

1 comprehensive initial exam
2 periodic exams (6 months apart)
3 fluoride varnish applications
2 family oral health educations per year
Restorations as needed