| The M.A.D.R.E.S. program, Maternal Access to Dental-related premature birth Risk reduction Education and Services, a March of Dimes Virginia Chapter grant recipient was recently selected to receive a 2009 National Association of Counties Achievement Award.
In 2008, the program admitted over 250 individuals and provided them with quality dental care. It also supported 1,000 women with prematurity awareness and education thru the offices of the Chesterfield County Health Department . The program mainly targets underinsured or uninsured Hispanic women who are of childbearing age. Its main funding priority is to provide access to dental screening and dental education as well as supply educational materials on pregnancy preparation and the risks involved with preterm birth to a limited resource population.
2009 is the second year of MOD VA Chapter funding for M.A.D.R.E.S.
Some of the current objectives are as follows:
1. By March 2010 at least 50% of preconception clients (30 women) will be scheduled for professional dental screening/cleaning, including oral cancer screening and oral hygiene education by Dr. Gordon Witcher. The goal is a 2/3 attendance rate. A bilingual outreach worker will counsel all women desiring conception and will include information on the importance of a dental exam and folic acid to prevent birth defects.
2. By March 2010, at least 200 women admitted to maternity care in Chesterfield Health Dept. will receive preterm birth education through the bilingual outreach worker and MOD educational materials, along with BACK TO SLEEP information.
3. By March of 2010, 50% of 400 Chesterfield Health Dept. prenatal clients will be offered professional dental screening/cleaning, including oral cancer screen and oral hygiene education. At 28 week appointments, nurses will provide patients with MOD educational materials.
In addition to the recent award, some of the program’s other major successes in 2009 have been:
- A total of 210 dental appointments have been scheduled; 179 maternity and 30 preconception. A total of 133 women have kept their appointments; 111 maternity and 12 preconception.
- From Feb. 1, 2009- June 30, 2009, 188 women were admitted to maternity care from Chesterfield Health Department and educated.
For furter information about the program, visit the Chesterfield County website, Health Services page, OR e-mail March of Dimes' Sara Long, Director of Program Services, or call her at (804)968-4120.
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