Provider updates

Ah, nothing’s better than cozying up in a warm blanket, sipping on a hot cup of cocoa with extra marshmallows. Maybe a cup of warm cider while marveling over your absolute perfect pumpkin. Perhaps the abundance of Halloween candy that hangs out a little too long into the winter season.

The point of all this is that now is the best time to emphasize the sealant metric. CareOregon Dental participates in the State’s sealant metric for our Coordinated Care Organization partner, Health Share of Oregon. We have met this metric’s goal each year since reporting began in 2015.

We are often asked, “How can clinics increase the number of sealants placed each year to meet annual targets?” Our partners work hard to increase the application of clinically indicated sealants through a variety of innovative methods. The following are examples of sealant strategies from within our provider network:

• A clear directive from leadership, with updated workflows, for sealant placement during a current dental visit, rather than rescheduling for a separate appointment.
• Targeted outreach to children in the sealant age group who have not had a dental visit and/or sealants placed this year.
• A gift card or other incentive for parents and children in the sealant age group to complete a dental visit.
• Scheduling and staffing additional sealant chairs or clinic days, including Saturdays and special themed events.

Because of you, doing the amazing work you do of applying sealants, more children in our community receive this evidence-based preventive dental service. As we enter the last quarter of the year, we have yet to cross the metric finish line and seal the deal. Last year we finished 15 percentage points over the State’s target; This year we challenge you to help us beat that! Kudos to you all for your continued efforts and perhaps you can have an extra piece of that Halloween candy. Don’t worry, we won’t tell the kids.