Oral Assessment Survey Results

Survey conducted March 2011Missouri WIC Program

The Survey

• The PURPOSE of the survey was to give the state WIC office a better understanding of LWP practices for completing the oral assessment across the state.

• 106 completed surveys were received

• 10 LWPs sent in 2 completed surveys (submitted by different local agency staff)

• 23 LWPs did not respond

To assess for dental risk factor does your agency:

How are you currently documenting your oral assessment in MOWINS?

Who in your agency is conducting the oral assessment?

Who in your agency is assigning the dental risk factor (381)?

Do you feel there is a need for training on the following topics?

If state training is provided on the dental requirements (assessment, documentation & oral inspection)

would you prefer:

LWP Comments

• “We are not conducting oral assessments but ask the MDHQs.”

• “The clerk is conducting the oral assessment at certification/recertification.”

• “Unsure of who in the agency is assigning the dental risk factor.”

• “This has always been confusing to me, so an explanation of the expectation would be helpful.”

State Observations

• LWPs may do an oral assessment in more than one way. One county responds by answering “MDHQs” and “we don’t do an oral assessment.”

• LWPs do not use the terminology (oral assessment, oral inspection, and MDHQs) with consistent meanings.

• No LWP is conducting only oral inspections. All are using oral inspection along with MDHQs and also referral data in some cases.

• 3 LWPs responded that they assess for the dental risk factor using “other,” but do not provide an explanation of other.