The Oregon Oral Health Unit - in collaboration with the Oregon Oral Health Coalition's (OrOHC) Early Childhood Cavities Prevention Committee (ECCP) - launched a three-year workforce development project in 2009 called “First Tooth” with a goal to reduce early childhood caries in Oregon. The First Tooth project was funded with a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
First Tooth was designed to help providers implement preventive oral health services for infants and toddlers under the age of 3 into their current practice. Development of the curriculum was done with input from the Oregon Academy of Pediatrics and follows the evidence-based practice for early childhood caries prevention (ECCP) that includes a risk assessment, anticipatory guidance, an intervention as appropriate, and referral to a dental home. First Tooth training topics include the prevalence and impact of oral disease; how to conduct an oral health risk assessment; how to provide culturally appropriate anticipatory guidance fluoride varnish application; and implementation, workflow tips, and access to dental care.
While grant funding ended in August 2012, the First Tooth project has transitioned over to the Oregon Oral Health Coalition (OrOHC). First Tooth offers a no-cost training for dental and medical communities. The training is also available to WIC programs, Head Start programs and other entities that have a vested interest in the oral health of young children.
Project Summary (pdf) Train the Trainer Program (pdf)