How Does MySmileGuide® Work for Schools and Universities?
Tooth decay is one of the most chronic diseases of childhood, and oral health and behavioral health are both key components to ensuring optimal student learning, performance, and achievement. Developing good oral hygiene habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps protect a child’s smile and provides the best start for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Through MySmileGuide®, children and parents, adolescents, and college students can easily access the information they need and gain autonomy in caring for their oral health. Good oral hygiene reduces the risk for and severity of common chronic health concerns like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illness. Preventive dental care is essential to the healthy and successful future of every student.
MySmileGuide® is a library of questions and answers assessing oral and general health. Each member is assessed according to their age and gender, and fall under one of three categories: children, adolescents, and adults. When the member’s age and gender are entered into the program, the appropriate set of questions is selected and presented in an Oral Health Risk Questionnaire. Members receive clear, personalized health guidance, and a report specific to their risk assessment is placed in their Personal Health Folder.
MySmileGuide® follows up with members by email inviting them to return to the site and repeat their oral health assessments. The timing of the follow-up email depends on the member’s most recent health assessment “Smile Score”:
- 0 to 33: 3-month follow-up
- 34 to 66: 6-month follow-up
- 66 to 100:12-month follow-up
MySmileGuide® also provides an age-specific Dental Visit Checklist for members to print and bring to their next dental appointment. The dentist answers a set of yes/no questions which the member enters into the MySmileGuide® interface. A set of oral health recommendations is generated specific to the dental visit. This Dental Visit Checklist Report is placed in the member’s Personal Health Folder, where all member oral health information is securely stored and managed. MySmileGuide® members also receive alerts to help them achieve their age-specific dental visit goals.