Purpose
Budgeting for stipends may be allowed for licensed dental professionals who provide dental screenings to support workplan activities that increase Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) participation and reporting. Screenings may also be used to increase dental sealant rates and improve dental sealant data-tracking indicators.

Proposition 56 funds cannot be used to pay for dental services. Dental services such as fluoride varnish and dental sealant applications are NOT included under the stipend agreement. Note: dental screenings are non-reimbursable by Medi-Cal Dental.

Screening activities may support the rollout of referral management software in Local Oral Health Programs (LOHPs) who are beginning the implementation process. Innovative screening proposals beyond these guidelines may be considered if they are compelling, practical, and evidence-based/evidence-informed.

These provisions may be subject to change because of new information, changes in process, and the availability of funds.

Provisions

• Stipends support licensed dental professionals completing KOHA screenings for Objective 7 activities to increase KOHA participation and reporting and increase sealant rates that target 3^rd grade children.
• The total budget for stipends should not exceed 10 percent of the LOHP's total annual budget (not including carry forward funds), depending on the number of kindergartener and 3^rd grade children in the jurisdiction.
• Resources in your jurisdiction should be used first (e.g., volunteers such as retired dentists and hygienists, dental society members, school nurses, faculty members from dental schools, dental hygiene programs, and providers in Federally Qualified Health Centers). In these instances, the LOHP can provide support in other ways (e.g., purchasing screening materials).
• Priority should be given for dental deserts (areas with limited access to dental services) in underserved areas.
• The number of children screened should be impactful. Plan to screen a minimum of 60-100 percent of kindergarteners in your jurisdiction, with a goal to increase by 10 percent each year until you reach 100 percent.
• Tiers 1 and 2 target 80-100 percent of kindergarteners
• Tier 3 target 60-100 percent of kindergarteners
  

Requesting a Stipend
1.    Stipend requests should be submitted along with biannual budget revisions (i.e., April 30 and September 30).

2.    Submit a stipend request to your Program Consultant (PC) and cc the Dental Director at DentalDirector@cdph.ca.gov and include:

• the cost per dental professional (include if the cost is hourly or per day)
• total cost
• number of children screened
• total number of kindergartener children in your jurisdiction

Note: For innovative proposals, please cite evidence and rationale for the proposal.

Response Time
PC will review your request and respond within 5-7 business days with:

• an approval
• a request for revisions, or
• additional questions on proposed screening activities 
  

For more information, please contact your PC or OOH at DentalDirector@cdph.ca.gov.

Thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to improving the oral health status of underserved populations in California!

Sincerely,

Jayanth Kumar, DDS, MPH
State Dental Director
California Department of Public Health
Office of Oral Health

CDPH Office of Oral Health, MS 7218

P.O. Box 997377

Sacramento, CA 95899-7377

(916) 440-7197 ● (916) 636-6678 FAX

Internet Address: www.cdph.ca.gov