According to a survey conducted by DOH-Volusia, time and a lack of dentists willing to see young children keep parents from getting dental care for their children. To improve access, the department’s WIC program and dental clinic collaborated on an initiative that earned the agency a Prudential Productivity Award. Recognizing that many children aged 1 to 5 enrolled in WIC programs have never seen a dentist, the initiative was designed to make dental care more convenient for parents by providing care during WIC appointments. A dental hygienist in the WIC office offered preventive dental care, dental education and referrals, as needed. Since its launch in 2016, the collaborative has expanded to the DOH-Volusia’s three WIC sites in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Orange City. During the first year, nearly 2,000 children aged 1 to 5 years old received care.

DOH-Volusia staff earned a Prudential Productivity Award from TaxWatch for an initiative that increased access to dental care for young children. In front, from left: Patricia Foster and Priscilla Montijo, dental hygienists. In back, from left: Trina Cowan, dental hygienist, Elin Grimes, public health nutritionist, Tachara Ferguson-Reid, dental program manager, and Stacy Greenlaw, dental hygienist.