Oral Health Bridgeport Initiative (ORBIT)

Children in Bridgeport and Stratford are moving in a different "orbit."

Since 1999, the Oral Health Bridgeport Initiative (ORBIT) has focused on "enhancing oral health and oral care access for the underserved and vulnerable populations in Bridgeport and Stratford," with the help of funding the last five years from the Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health).

During this five-year period, the ORBIT collaborative, through its lead agency, Southwestern Area Health Education Center (AHEC), has provided a forum for doubling the number of HUSKY-program (Healthcare for UninSured Kids and Youth) children receiving dental care.

Today, ORBIT is moving forward with a three-year (2008-2010) $360,000 CT Health grant that will enable it to continue making a difference in these communities. Among ORBIT's successes, CT Health funding has enabled it to:

• Establish an oral health screening and education program for first- and third-grade Stratford students by the health department's dental hygienist
• Decrease dental no-show rates for the two local community health centers (CHCs)
• Promote the addition of an evening clinic at the University of Bridgeport's Fones School of Dental Hygiene
• Provide free services from 32 private dentists to 174 children in 2008, and from 21 private dentists to 86 children in 2007, through the annual American Dental Association Give Kids A Smile day
• Facilitate securing University of Connecticut dental residents for both Bridgeport CHCs

"CT Health funding for direct services has enabled the Bridgeport and Stratford school-based dental clinics to expand and flourish, especially in light of the limited reimbursement received under the HUSKY program," says Joan Lane, project director. "Unfortunately, future funding for the Bridgeport program is uncertain."

ORBIT's partners include the private dental community, Southwest CHC, Optimus Health Care, the Bridgeport and Stratford health departments, Bridgeport's WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and Head Start programs, Fones School and BeneCare (the state HUSKY dental program administrator), as well as other statewide initiatives. "This strong foundation demonstrates our ability to continue to serve as an agent for oral health improvement," notes Meredith Ferraro, Southwestern AHEC executive director. Another key in linking the collaborative partners is Vani Anand, ORBIT's oral health care coordinator.

Among its goals during the next five years, ORBIT plans to:

• Match targeted children to available providers (i.e., private dentists, CHCs, hospitals) through comprehensive care coordination
• Increase dental visit capacity by encouraging private dentists to participate in HUSKY and/or provide pro bono services
• Build and deliver a dynamic, community-wide oral health educational program targeting parents, to reinforce the need for early, consistent dental care for their children
• Develop and implement a long-term sustainability plan for the collaborative

Most importantly, adds Lane, "ORBIT remains committed to the need for access to quality oral health care for all residents of Bridgeport and Stratford."

www.swctahec.org