Strategies for Engaging High-Risk Pediatric Medicaid Populations in School-Based Dental Caries Prevention Initiatives - Takeaways - DentalSpire

Strategies for Engaging High-Risk Pediatric Medicaid Populations in School-Based Dental Caries Prevention Initiatives

  • By

  • Shulamite S. Huang

  • Ryan R. Ruff

  • Heather T. Gold

  • Scarlett Sijia Wang

  • April 9, 2026

  • 0 min

Share

  • 1

    Dental caries affects over 20% of children aged 2 to 5 years, with a recent increase in emergency department visits for nontraumatic dental conditions.

  • 2

    School-based caries prevention programs (SCPPs) can reduce caries risk by 30% and are cost-effective, yet may not reach the highest risk children.

  • 3

    Parental informed consent for SCPPs may introduce selection bias, potentially skewing participation towards families less in need of dental care.

  • 4

    The CariedAway study implemented two SCPP designs in high-risk Bronx schools, providing various preventive treatments to eligible students.

  • 5

    Linking SCPP participation data with Medicaid claims revealed insights into dental care utilization among children aged 5 to 13 in NYC.

Original Source(s)

Strategies for Engaging High-Risk Pediatric Medicaid Populations in School-Based Dental Caries Prevention Initiatives

  • by Shulamite S. Huang, Ryan R. Ruff, Heather T. Gold, Scarlett Sijia Wang

  • April 9, 2026

Related Content

Biofluorescence: A New Way to See and Share

Visualizing beyond the surface is transforming the way we detect, treat, and talk about oral disease.

Water Fluoridation Study Finds No Evidence of Cognitive Harm

New PNAS study using Wisconsin cohort data finds no negative association between community water fluoridation and adolescent IQ or cognitive performance across the life course.

Lycopene Intake Linked to Lower Severe Periodontitis Risk in Older Adults

Association varies by race and sex in adults aged 65 to 79 years.