New dental director joins Division of Public Health

The Delaware Division of Public Health announced that Dr. Nicholas Conte is the new dental director for the Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services.

Conte is a prosthodontist who most recently served as the director of clinical research and education for Dentsply Sirona. He has prior experience in both private practice and as a faculty member at New Jersey Dental School (now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine), where he taught both undergraduate and postgraduate prosthodontics. Conte has lectured extensively both nationally and internationally, conducted clinical research trials, and worked on product development teams for impression materials, composites, adhesives and cements.

"We are fortunate to have someone with Dr. Conte's qualifications joining the DPH family," said Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. "It is exciting to find a leader who has touched on so many different areas in his profession. His recognition of the value of oral health and how it impacts overall health will help lead the Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services into the future."

"I am very excited and honored to be named the dental director and to be a part of the Division of Public Health," Conte said. "I look forward to continuing the great work that has already been done, maintaining important partnerships previously established within the state and fostering new relationships with external partners. I also look forward to working with the Delaware dental community to improve general awareness about the importance of oral health and the key role it plays in our overall wellness."

DPH dental clinics serve the Medicaid and uninsured communities (age 20 and under) surrounding each of its five state service centers throughout Delaware. The bureau has made great strides in promoting oral health in the state, including:

• Launching the First Smile Delaware website. The website serves as a communications anchor point, providing a place where people can access information on oral health literacy, providers' resources, parent resources and prenatal, infant and young children patient education cards.
• Recruiting a pediatric dentist to practice in Sussex County in 2013, through a special loan repayment award funded by the Oral Health Workforce Development grant. Prior to this, Sussex County had not had a pediatric dentist, and this was considered to be one of the most pressing needs to provide dental care for children.
• Providing dental care for Medicaid-eligible children at the division's five statewide clinics. More details on the school-linked program are below. An Electronic Dental Record was implemented in December 2012 that will contribute to greater efficiency and quality of care.

The Bureau of Oral Health and Dental Services was awarded a Health Resources and Services Administration Oral Health Workforce Activities grant in the amount of $481,826 for each of the next three years. The grant will address:

• Training dental professionals to improve access to dental care for people with disabilities.
• Integration of oral health into primary care in Federally Qualified Health Centers.
• Expansion of oral health outreach and disease prevention in schools and communities.

The division has also implemented several oral health programs that are integrated in school systems throughout the state:

• Seal-A-Smile Program - This program brings dental care to Delaware elementary schools through a state-of-the-art mobile dental van. Children come into the van for a quick exam by a volunteer dentist to determine which teeth may qualify to have sealants placed. A public health dental hygienist then places the sealants on these teeth along with a fluoride varnish. This program is primarily for children who have Medicaid. The division is actively seeking additional dentists to volunteer and assist with the screening processes.
• Delaware Smile Check - This program aims to provide resources for children who are not receiving regular dental care. A public health hygienist travels to schools and performs screenings using a portable dental chair and light in order to determine a child's need for dental care. If the child has noticeable cavities or excess of plaque buildup, the hygienist will make a referral to a local dentist. The hygienist will also help coordinate treatment if he/she sees an emergency situation, and follow up to make sure the child has been taken care of. The goal is to let parents/guardians know the oral health status of each child and provide them with education and resources to get the best care possible. This program is available to all students regardless of their Medicaid status.
• School Linked Program - This is the division's largest and most successful program, in which students with returned medical histories and permission slips are picked up during normal school hours, either before or after lunch, and transported to the nearest state service center to receive full comprehensive dental care. This includes x-rays, cleanings, dental exams, fillings, sealants, fluoride treatments and in some cases, extractions. The program addresses barriers for parents/guardians who do not have transportation or cannot afford to miss time from work to take their children to appointments. Correspondence is relayed to parents/guardians after each checkup and before any follow-up work is completed. This program is available only for children who have Medicaid; however, no child with a dental need or emergency is refused treatment.

The bureau also participates in community activities as often as possible, such as Mission of Mercy, Stand Down and Give Kids A Smile, while providing donations and coordinating educational outreach for various organizations. For more information, call 302-744-4554 or go to www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsm/ohphome.html.