Oral Care Plan: The Arc of Beaumont, TX

Ariel Castillo
Linsey Malone
Linda Morelos
Description of site

The Arc, located at 4330 Westridge Lane Beaumont, TX 77706, is a grassroot

organization with 140,000 members who are affiliated through approximately 1,000 state
and local chapters across the nation. At the national level, a 24-member national board of
directors and delegate body of representatives from each chapter guide The Arc’s work.
The Arc works to ensure that the estimated 7.2 million Americans with IDD (intellectual
and developmental disabilities) have the services and support they need to grow, develop
and live in communities across the nation. The function and role of the site is to educate
the public about this program to create possibilities for people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities to grow, learn, and live. This organization is funded by: (1)
○ Texas Children's Health Plan
○ Ace Imagewear
○ Newpark Mats and Integrated Services
○ MAX Bowl
○ Martin Chevrolet Buick GMC
○ YMBL
○ Beyond Words
○ Classic Southeast
○ Market Basket
○ Briggs Equipment
○ Quality Care Services inc.
○ Carrier Enterprise South Texas Region
○ Spindletop Center
○ First Financial Bank
○ Doug Nelson Cafe
○ DuGood Credit union
○ Echo Group
○ Holiday Inn and Suites
○ Neches Engineers
○ SETX Construction Corp.
○ Phoenix Marine Transportation Service inc.
○ Special Angels Rodeo Orange County Texas
○ BAM (Beaumont Asset Management, L.L.C.)
○ Overhead Door
○ Service Co. REED Air Conditioning Heating Sales and Service
○ Wholesale W Electric
○ Southeast Texas OB-GYN Associates P.A
○ Beaumont Pediatric Center
○ First Financial Bank
 ○ Allied Electrical Contractors of Beaumont
○ Carrier “Turn to the Experts”
○ Echo Maintenance, L.L.C.
○ Kirksey’s Sprint Printing

Description of the target group

The target group consists of volunteers for The Arc. The volunteers assist individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are over 300 members with intellectual
and developmental disabilities in Beaumont alone, and approximately 140,000 members across
the nation. All of the volunteers go through a background check and are experienced teachers
with basic oral health education knowledge. (1)

Staff population

The staff population consists of an Executive Director, Advocacy Coordinator, Program

Coordinator, Program Assistant, Board of Directors, Honorary Board Members, and volunteers.
There are currently 24 members, and their responsibilities include taking charge of the programs
and organizing events. There is no information available on the education of the staff, and The
Arc accepts any volunteers willing to make a difference. (1)

Description of services provided

The Arc coordinates activities for the attendees with intellectual and developmental
disabilities and their families. All activities are funded by donations and grants. Their future
plans are to help individuals with disabilities become integral and valuable members of the
community. The daily activities of The Arc include the Down Syndrome Family Group, Autism
Support Group, and ADS Social Group (Young Adult Social Group). There are scheduled events
for the attendees and families as follows:
○ St. Patricks Day Dance
○ Until We Meet Again
○ Beaumont Buddy Walk
○ Parent’s Night out @ the Arc of Greater Beaumont
○ Game Night @ the Arc of Greater Beaumont
○ Southeast Texas Self-Advocate Meeting
○ Zoom Bingo @ Online
○ Teen Night @ The Arc of Greater Beaumont
Other pertinent data
There is not any information on the water fluoridation at ppm.

Dental Health Status

● Dental Caries
○ Caries are common in people with developmental disabilities. Oral malformations
may cause enamel defects and variations in the number, size, and shape of the
teeth. Also, damaging oral habits such as food pouching and mouth breathing. (4)
● Periodontal Disease
○ Occurs more often and at a younger age to people with developmental disabilities.
It is difficult for the patient to perform effective brushing and flossing, which
hinders successful treatment and outcomes. These patients have oral
malformations such as high lip lines with dry gums. These patients also
participate in damaging oral habits such as teeth grinding and clenching, and
tongue thrust which may induce periodontitis. (4)
● Oral Hygiene
○ Depending on the nature of the disability, the oral hygiene of the patients is
accomplished either by self or a caregiver, brushing their teeth every day, and
flossing regularly. (4)
● Malocclusion
○ Occurs in many people with developmental disabilities, which can make chewing
and speaking difficult and increase the risk of periodontal (gum) disease, dental
caries, and oral trauma. (4)
● Oral Cancer- if relevant
○ Trauma and injury to the mouth from falls or accidents may occur in people with
a seizure disorder or cerebral palsy. (4)
● Utilization of Dental services
○ These patients need to utilize professional cleanings regularly as an important part
of maintaining their good oral health. It may take time for the patient to get
comfortable in the office so it is encouraged that a “get acquainted” visit without
treatment is provided. This will help them familiarize with the office and exam
routine before the real visit. (4)
● Additional information
○ Delayed tooth eruption may occur in children with developmental disabilities
such as Down Syndrome. Children may not get their first baby tooth until they are
2 years old. (4)

Goal:
 To increase the knowledge of the importance of dental health for individuals with
intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Objectives:
1. To develop an oral health plan for the volunteers to understand.
2. Establish an oral health routine for the volunteers to follow by the end of the oral health
program.
3. Introduce the plaque index to the volunteers.
4. Lower plaque score by .4 at every session of the attendees by the end of the oral health
program.
5. Introduce dental health education theory.

Rationale:

By developing an oral health plan, the volunteers would be able to teach

individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities how to keep a healthy
oral cavity. The plan should be effective and easy for the volunteer to understand
and teach to the target group. The intellectual and developmental disability
patients have an increased risk of caries, malocclusion, and periodontitis. (4) We
must establish a good oral health routine amongst the volunteers to begin
implementing proper tooth brushing and flossing habits amongst the patients by
the end of the oral health program. Introducing the plaque index to volunteers will
help them gauge the level of help the attendees may need while brushing and
flossing. There may be a need for the volunteers to aid in brushing and flossing.
In lowering the attendees’ plaque scores, there is also a reduction of microbes in
the oral cavity. This will aid in reducing the progression of diseases such as
gingivitis and periodontitis, and it can help reduce the patient’s caries risk. (4) By
introducing the dental health education theory to the individuals with intellectual
and developmental disabilities, and the volunteers, they will be able to practice
good oral habits and teach others how to improve their oral hygiene. By
introducing healthy modifications, it will encourage healthy behaviors.

Program Design:

A. Activites
The purpose of our Oral Health Program is to educate individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and their parents/caretakers about the importance of oral hygiene. The
discussion will include basic oral health instructions and introducing aids that will help make it
easier for them. The sessions will be performed on a weekly basis at The Arc facility. The
sessions will be presented in the following:
a. Session 1: Volunteers and Program Director
 The presentation will discuss the overall oral health plan related to the oral health
of the patients and the education of the target group/volunteers/caregivers.
i. Discuss the need for a preventive dental health program for the patients
ii. Discuss the importance of good oral hygiene and how to enforce a daily
plaque maintenance
iii. Discuss the needs for periodontal assessment for early detection amongst
disabled patients
iv. Discuss the importance of maintaining a regular professional cleaning

This session will last one hour and will require only the Volunteers and
Program Director to be present.

b. Session 2: Family members/ caregiver/patient (education)

The presentation of general oral health information and preventive methods. This
session will include a survey to evaluate the dental knowledge of the family
members/volunteers/caregivers. Patient education will be introduced to
understand the importance of healthy practices.
i. Have family members/caregivers/ volunteers take a google survey to
assess general oral health knowledge
ii. Reinforce the importance of good oral hygiene and how to enforce a daily
plaque regimen for the patients.

This session will last one hour, and will require only the family
members/caregivers and patients to be present.

c. Session 3: Volunteers, Program Director, Family members/Caregivers,

Patient
This presentation will educate all members on oral health aids such as
toothbrushes and flossing devices to use at home. There will be a Kahoot! pretest
before our demonstration to gauge the knowledge of the participants. During this
session, we will discuss proper methods of brushing, and demonstrate this on
typodonts that we have provided. We will also have other aids available for
demonstration such as tongue scrapers, floss picks, and waterpiks.
i. Have a Kahoot! pretest
ii. Introduce aids to family/caregiver/patient that will help improve oral
health and make it easier to apply
iii. Bring other home care aids to demonstrate benefits (tongue scraper, floss
picks, waterpik)

This session will last one hour and will require all members to be present.
 d. Session 4: Volunteers, Program Director, Family members/Caregivers,
Patient
The presentation will allow all members to demonstrate proper techniques on the
typodonts that we will provide. All members present will properly demonstrate
the correct methods. We will have a Kahoot! post-test to gauge the learned
information of the participants. Any further questions will be discussed during
this session.
i. Demonstrate proper brushing & flossing on typodont
ii. Have the volunteers, family/caregivers, and patients correctly demonstrate
by the end of the session
iii. Have a Kahoot! post-test

This session will last one hour and will require all members to be present.

B. Constraints and alternative strategies

1. Constraint: There may be a lack of dental hygiene education amongst the program
administration
a. Alternatives: Provide information on proper tooth brushing, flossing, and how
there is a need amongst the program target group
b. Provide a playful animated lesson video from youtube
c. Allow the target group/volunteers/caregivers to demonstrate proper tooth
brushing, flossing on themselves, or typodont/manikin

2. Constraint: There may be a lack of interest amongst both volunteers/caregiver/ target

group
Alternatives:
a. Make a poster or bring a stuffed animal with manikin teeth to demonstrate.
b. Get them involved with a Kahoot! session.
c. Involve a prize incentive such as a free toothbrush/ tongue scraper for the top 3
scores.

3. Constraint: May lack internet/advanced technologies to properly interact in the learning

process
Alternatives:
a. Have a projector and keep score while we do an interactive quiz.
b. Create an interactive Bingo format written quiz
c. Provide a printed PowerPoint/booklet of healthy oral habits and have target
group/volunteers/caregivers read along to interact in the learning process
4. Constraint: Lack of funds to receive proper dental care in an office
Alternatives:
 a. Refer to LIT Dental Hygiene Clinic
b. Inform the target group/volunteers/caregivers of the annual ST. Katharine Drexel
Health Fair and with attendance they can receive funds to assist their needs
c. Inform them of Medicaid and CHIP programs for government assistance

C. Resources
The following resources will be required for the implementation of the program:
1. Personnel: Volunteers, Clinicians, and Program Director (for the first session only).
Family members/caregivers, Patients, and Clinicians (for the second session only).
Volunteers, Clinicians, Program Director, Family members/caregivers, Patients, and
Clinicians ( for the third, and fourth sessions only).
2. Visual Aids:
a. Typodonts (normal and perio)
b. Stuffed animal with manikin teeth
c. Sealed tooth in cement
d. Pictures (visuals of oral health performance, instructions, and “before/after” oral
habits were implemented)
e. X-rays
f. PowerPoints
g. Kahoot!
3. Supplies:
a. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, floss picks, tongue scrapers, varnish
b. Disclosing solution, cups, cotton tips
c. Projector
4. Evaluation Material:
a. Google Forms- Assess education
b. Kahoot!- Pre-test/post-test
c. Bingo quizzes- assess education
5. Supplements:
a. Brochure of LIT dental hygiene clinic
b. Brochure of St. Katharine Health Fair
c. Brochure of Medicaid/CHIP government assistance
d. An outline of the oral health program
e. Powerpoints of healthy oral habits
D. Budget:
The estimated cost/donations for the dental health program is as follows:
1. Toothbrushes: Donated
2. Toothpaste: Donated
3. Floss: Donated
4. Floss picks: Donated
5. Tongue scrapers: Donated by LIT
 6. Varnish: Donated by LIT
7. Disclosing solution: Donated by LIT
8. Cups: Donated by Market Basket
9. Cotton tips: Donated by LIT
10. Gloves: Donated by LIT

E. Time table:
All the needed supplies will be acquired before each session. There will be four sessions
spanning a four-week period of the time. The schedule is as follows:
A. Session 1- April 1-4, 2022
B. Session 2- April 9-11, 2022
C. Session 3- April 16-18, 2022
D. Session 4- April 30-31, 2022

F. Evaluation

I. Process evaluation (formative)

A. A weekly meeting with the Program Director and Volunteers will be done to
evaluate the progress of the oral health program.
B. A weekly evaluation of the Volunteers, Program Director, Family
Members/Caregivers, Target group, with interactive tests (Kahoot! Bingo) to
assess the learning of the individuals
C. A weekly review of patient education topics such as flossing, brushing, etc to
assure mastery of the skill.
D. A weekly review of mastery of healthy oral health habits by a demonstration on
typodonts or self
II. Product evaluation (summative)
A. Pre-test and post-test will be administered to everyone involved (Volunteers,
Program Director, Family Members/Caregivers, Target group)
B. A Google survey on experience after the oral health program
C. An annual check with the Family Members/Caregivers, and Target group to
refresh new habits, and reintroduce topics.
D. Provide a written instructional manual to Volunteers, and Program Director about
the oral health program.
E. An annual check with the Program Director will be conducted to verify the
utilization of patient education and healthy oral habits implementations to the
target group, and family members/ caregivers.
References:

1. Information regarding The Arc. Retrieved from:

https://www.arcofbmt.org/
2. Information regarding BINGO
https://bingobaker.com/view/2068127
3. Information regarding the Medicaid and chip posters
https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/American-Indian-Alaska-Native/AIAN/Outreach-
and-Education/medicaid-and-chip
 4. Information regarding developmental disabilities and oral health. Retrieved from:
https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/developmental-disabilities
5. Information about the youtube video
Finny Goes To The Dentist | Finny The Shark | Cartoon For Kids

Appendix:

Pretest and Post-test (Kahoot!)

Lesson Plans (Sessions 1-4)
Brochure of LIT dental hygiene clinic
Brochure of St. Katharine Health Fair
Brochure of Medicaid/CHIP government assistance
An outline of the oral health program
Powerpoints of healthy oral habits
Google forms
Bingo quiz
Youtube video
Typodonts
Toothbrushes and flossing devices for demonstration
Program evaluation
NAME:
Pretest

1. How often should you brush your teeth?

a. Once a day
b. Twice a day
c. Every week
d. Every two weeks
2. How often should you floss?
a. Once a day
b. Twice a day
c. Every week
d. Every two weeks
3. What is Plaque?
a. Plaque is a white bacterial biofilm that is responsible for cavities, gingivitis, and
periodontitis.
b. Plaque is sticky.
c. Plaque is manageable.
d. All of the above
4. What is Gingivitis?
a. Gum disease that causes inflamed gums.
b. Gingivitis is reversible.
c. Gingivitis causes bad breath.
d. All of the above
5. What is Periodontitis?
a. A serious gum infection that damages gums, causes bone loss.
b. Periodontitis is irreversible.
c. Periodontitis causes wiggly teeth, and tender gums.
d. All of the above.
6. Is having a clean mouth important?
a. Yes!
b. No!
NAME:
Post-test

1. How often should you brush your teeth?

a. Once a day
b. Twice a day
c. Every week
d. Every two weeks
2. How often should you floss?
a. Once a day
b. Twice a day
c. Every week
d. Every two weeks
3. What is Plaque?
a. Plaque is a white bacterial biofilm that is responsible for cavities, gingivitis, and
periodontitis.
b. Plaque is sticky.
c. Plaque is manageable.
d. All of the above
4. What is Gingivitis?
a. Gum disease that causes inflamed gums.
b. Gingivitis is reversible.
c. Gingivitis causes bad breath.
d. All of the above
5. What is Periodontitis?
a. A serious gum infection that damages gums, causes bone loss.
b. Periodontitis is irreversible.
c. Periodontitis causes wiggly teeth, and tender gums.
d. All of the above.
6. Is having a clean mouth important?
a. Yes!
b. No!
Youtube:
Finny Goes To The Dentist | Finny The Shark | Cartoon For Kids
General assessment google form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdK6zT7RlJjCaC-
MTmvS1JpcfSiy9LQyHkXgfemhPqbsp742g/viewform?usp=sf_link

Oral health plan evaluation

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5Qql9saJnMePZhnajeepQy6bn6-
o3DedRTD4LXxRhnIBWSg/viewform?usp=sf_link
NOT CURRENT