South Australia
Smoking Cessation Project (SA Dental Service Program 1)
Aims or brief descriptions: The SA Dental Service Smoking Cessation Project commenced in 2006. The aim of the project is to contribute to the improvement of client's oral and general health by providing information to increase awareness of support services available to clients who are interested in managing their tobacco dependence.
The primary objective of the Smoking Cessation Project is to provide a referral pathway for adult clients to the QUITLINE. Two pilot sites were initially trialled. Staff training has been delivered through a partnership with QUIT SA. Smoking interventions are being embedded into ‘daily practice'. The program is being systematically rolled out to Community Dental Clinics across the state, the Adelaide Dental Hospital and through a youth focussed program for School Dental Service staff. An electronic data system has been developed and implemented to assist staff record and track interventions.
Findings
Since July 2006, 8440 brief interventions have been recorded. SA Dental Service Staff are delivering quality, effective and sustainable smoking support to clients. Working in partnership with QUIT SA has provided opportunities to share knowledge, skills and resources as well as foster closer relationships with other service providers. Dental staff are well placed to offer brief, targeted smoking cessation advice. The electronic data system is enabling tracking of medical history and the percentage of smokers receiving advice.
Involved organisations: SA Dental Service; QUITSA
Contact person for further information
Jane Heron-Kirkmoe
Health Promotion
SA Dental Service
180 Flinders Street, SA 5000
Australia
Phone (08 8222 9119)
Email: jane.heron-kirkmoe@health.sa.gov.au
Website link: www.sadental.sa.gov.au
Aboriginal Oral Health Program (South Australia)
Aims or brief description: Aboriginal Oral Health Program aim is to increase attendance of Aboriginal people at mainstream dental services in South Australia through a series of policy and organisational practice changes. The Aboriginal Oral Health Program has a number of key strategies to increase access of Aboriginal people to mainstream dental services across SA, including:
- Ensuring Aboriginal Adults are referred to SA Dental Service for free general and emergency priority dental care with no waiting lists
- Increasing the number of Aboriginal Teenagers accessing dental care using Teen Dental Voucher
- Ensuring Aboriginal children are accessing dental care through a variety of referral pathways from other health professionals
- Working with health professionals who see pregnant women regularly to increase their oral health knowledge
- Developing a range of oral health resources for Aboriginal people
Recent policy changes have also added to the program the inclusion of non-Aboriginal women pregnant with an Aboriginal child for 1 course of care; an automatic 12 month recall for clients that have accessed the Aboriginal Liaison Program and the removal of the fee waiver enables dentures and some specialist services at no cost for eligible clients.
The Aboriginal Oral Health Team is interested in building on the partnerships already developed through the Aboriginal Liaison Program to help all Aboriginal people access dental care in South Australia.
Findings:
The program began in late 2005 in response to an identified need to improve oral health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in SA. Since 2005 there has been an increase of Aboriginal attendance through the program from 60 to 1,900 people in 2011 and an increase of 46% since 2010. There has been an overall increase in total Aboriginal adult and children attendance for dental care in 2011. Staff have increased their understanding of cultural issues and Aboriginal communities have a greater understanding of the importance of oral health to general health. Health workers are supported to refer clients.
Reports or publications from project: The South Australian Dental Service conducts regular evaluation reports. A range of resources to support the program can be found on the SA Dental Service website.
Involved organisations: SA Dental Service; Department for Health (South Australia), Department of Health & Ageing (Health Promotion branch); Department of Education and Child Development;
Contact person for further information
Kellie Graves
Aboriginal Oral Health Project Officer, SA Dental Service
180 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA 5000.
Phone (08) 8222 9003
Email: kellie.graves@health.sa.gov.au
Jenny Smith
Aboriginal Oral Health Project Officer, SA Dental Service
180 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA 5000.
Phone (08) 8222 9024
Email: jennifer.smith2@health.sa.gov.au
Website link: www.sadental.sa.gov.au
Crunch&Sip® (South Australian)
Aims or brief descriptions: Crunch&Sip® is an initiative of the Go for 2&5® campaign and is being implemented in South Australian R - 7 schools across the public, Catholic and Independent schools sectors. The program aims to support schools to introduce a fruit and vegetable break, and promote the drinking of water in classrooms.
Findings: The program began development in January 2008, and has been implemented in primary schools from March 2009. Over 100 schools are participating in the program from metropolitan and country regions.
Reports or publications from project: The South Australian Community Health Research Unit(SACHRU) at Flinders University produced an evaluation report in June 2011 and an internal evaluation report by SADS was produced in June 2012. The executive summaries of both the reports and information on the full report can be accessed below
SACHRU evaluation report - Executive Summary
SADS Evaluation report - Executive Summary
Involved organisations: SA Dental Service; Department of Health & Ageing (Health Promotion branch); Department of Education and Child Development; Catholic Education; Association of Independent Schools South Australia
Contact person for further information
Leanne Rana
Project Officer, SA Dental Service
180 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA 5000.
Phone (08) 8222 9115
Email: leanne.rana@health.sa.gov.au
Website link: www.crunchandsip.com.au
Better Oral Health in Residential Care
This project is developing an evidence based, best practice model to promote better oral health within the Australian residential aged care sector.
SA Dental Service Population Oral Health Program - Lift the Lip
Aims or brief description: In 2007, SA Dental Service implemented the Population Oral Health Program (Lift the Lip), in response to a decline in children's oral health. SA Dental Service has been working collaboratively with Child and Family Health Service Nurses, GPs, Practice Nurses, Aboriginal Health Workers, Migrant Health Service staff and Early Childhood Services to improve the identification and referral of children experiencing Early Childhood Caries (tooth decay).
A simple Lift the Lip screening and referral tool has been developed to assist with the identification of children (6 months - 5 years) needing a referral. Referred children can access the dental care they need either through the public (School Dental Service) or private dental sectors.
Findings: To May 2012, 6,000 children had been referred by 483 professionals. Referred children have twice as much tooth decay as children attending the School Dental Service who have not been referred.
Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) nurses have been the main external referrers, having referred 71% of externally referred children in 2011/12. A lift the Lip screen has been incorporated into CaFHS general health checks.
The Program has been successful in increasing the number of preschoolers accessing the School Dental Service. The number of children aged under 4 years being referred has increased from 22% in 2008/09 to 50% in 2011/12. This provides us with a great opportunity to increase the number of preventive/early interventions.
Contacts for further information
Kerry Clifford - kerry.clifford@health.sa.gov.au
Tracey Gerhardy - tracey.gerhardy@health.sa.gov.au
Health Promotion
SA Dental Service
180 Flinders Street, SA 5000
Australia
Phone (08 8222 9113)
Reports or publications from program: A range of resources to support the program can be found on the SA Dental Service website.
Involved organisations
SA Dental Service, Child and Family Health Service, Australian Dental Association - SA Branch, Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH), Department of Health, Department of Education and Children's Services
Website link www.sadental.sa.gov.au
