Oral and dental healthcare management by Wyoming child protection services workers for children in out-of-home placements

Dental and oral diseases are a common encounter in children and youth. The federal government enacted EqualityCare to direct dental care policies for indigent youth, a policy that covers children/youth in protective custody. This original research analyzed survey data among Wyoming child protection workers who have legal responsibility for children who require regular dental health care. Forty-one workers (40% response) participated in the study. All respondents identified the importance of oral health care. 82.9% of the workers practiced assessment of dental care needs, yet, 46.3% of workers did not assess dental needs until after one month in custody, while 10% of the workers did not assess dental needs until 6 months in custody. Results identified that most respondents did not have adequate oral health care knowledge related to infants, children and youth. Thirty-two workers identified "dentists. unavailability" contributing to delay in care; 26 workers indicated dentists not accepting public funding.