Louisiana State University (LSU) Children's Clinic has approximately 40,000 visits per year in its outpatient clinics and continues to grow. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita resulted in the resettlement of a number of families to the area, and these children have added to the patient volume.
The clinic receives referrals from the entire northern half of Louisiana, the southwest quadrant of the state, as well as east and northeast Texas.
KidMed (EPDST) operations within the clinic currently have more than 10,000 linked children for whom it provides a Medical Home, 2500 of which are 0 to 3 years in age. These EPDST operations are the largest in the state and have achieved the highest periodicity ratings in the community. Nurses, Residents, and even medical students are involved in KidMed (EPDST) clinic care activities on a continuous basis.

Other community-based activities include operations in conjunction with the School Board, collaboration with Head Start and Early Head Start entities, joint activities with local hospitals such as a very active and high-quality child abuse center, and collaboration with Community Renewal organizations. Pediatric Department specialists operate clinics in adjacent and distant communities, and the organization has working relationships with other general pediatric clinics in smaller communities.

We use the latest AAP recommendations in both the training of our residents and the education of our parents. Our plans to implement a broad-based program are in the early stages, but current training takes place primarily in our Resident Continuity Care Clinics. We are not yet offering fluoride varnish applications. Children are referred to dentists by offering the parent a list of community dentists who have repeatedly indicated their willingness to see our patients. The parent then picks one from this list. Of 18 dentists on the list, only 4 will categorically see children 0-3 years of age. The entire community of children must share this limited access.

Our state as a whole has received the dismal grade of "D-" for dental access from Oral Health America. According to an article by David Jacobs (BusinessReport.com), "Just over half of the state's 1,950 dentists are signed up for Medicaid, although only 663 actually saw even a single Medicaid patient in fiscal year 2006-07."

An awakening of sorts has occurred among our pediatricians, and we are committed to a new facet of pediatric responsibility and opportunity. The potential for change here is tremendous. Our pediatric clinic is very accessible, and we already have the patients. Providing intervention and protection from early childhood caries here at LSUHSC is our children's best hope at present.