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PARKERSBURG - Several local grants have allowed the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department and Wood County Schools to expand a dental program for at-need students into all of the district's Title I schools.

The program began on a limited basis in May 2008, said Teresa Bayer, director of health services for Wood County Schools. The clinics first involved three elementary schools, one middle school and a high school special program. This year the program was expanded into 10 Title I schools.

The program is under the direction of the health department, said Wood County Schools Superintendent Bill Niday.

"We have been working with the health department on this project, very similar to how we helped the health department distribute the H1N1 vaccine," he said. "We are helping the health department provide the services to children who need them.

"Dental health is becoming more of a recognized issue," Niday said. "If we can do something to help kids, I think we should."

Mary Beth Shea, oral health coordinator for the health department, said 10 area dentists have been attending clinics at the district's Title I schools this fall. The most recent was held Friday at Waverly Elementary School.

The clinics focus on "students who do not have a dentist or haven't gone to a dentist in 12 or more months," Shea said. "Those are students considered to be without a 'dental home.'"

Prior to Friday's clinic, the group had seen about 313 students this fall, and is expected to have seen 500 students by the end of this part of the program, Shea said. The initial visit was more about giving the students a chance to meet the dentist and determine any immediate needs.

Students screened were placed into one of three categories: urgent care, meaning the student needed to be seen by a dentist within 24 to 48 hours; early dental care, meaning the student needed to be seen by a dentist within six months and would require further treatment; and regular care.

The categories were included on information sent home to parents after the screening, and also contained information on whether the student would need braces, cleaning or additional steps.

Shea said a list of participating dentists was sent home with each student, but parents were encouraged to use any dentist they felt comfortable with and would decide to contact.

Shea said she will return to the schools after the first of the year to do cleanings, give fluoride treatments and administer sealants on eligible students.

"We are going to try to help take care of them in the school," she said. "This is not in place of regular dental care with a dentist, but rather supplementing those services."

Shea said the program, including her position with the health department, is funded through a variety of grants. The health department received a two-year, $22,000 grant from The Appalachian Regional Council (ARC)/Benedum School and Community Partnerships for Children's Oral Health in West Virginia. The money is being used to fund equipment, supplies and some part-time assistance.

The health department also received a $10,000 grant from The National Children's Oral Health Foundation and the health department is eligible for donated products through the NCOHF.

Parkersburg Area Community Foundation through West Virginia Grantmakers provided $23,400 for oral health educational supplies and supplies like toothbrushes and dental floss, as well as the education of pregnant and new mothers through OB/Gyn, pediatricians and primary care providers in 2010.

West Virginia Children's Oral Health Program supplied two portable dental units, educational pamphlets and some toothbrushes, as well as $10,000 toward education and outreach through the MOVHD Oral Health Program. Wood County Rotary contributed $2,000 to help children without any form of dental insurance obtain treatment.

Wood County Schools recently received a $3,200 grant from the PACF to help supplement those services. Marian Clowes, program and development officer for the foundation, said dental health has been an area of focus in recent years.

"We've been very interested in the dental health of our community and especially in seeing the children are getting the dental help they need," she said.