Three new programs proposed by the Bartholomew County Health Department nursing division have been approved by county officials.
SEAL Indiana
A memorandum of understanding between Bartholomew County and the IU School of Dentistry will result in free preventive oral health care to children and preschoolers who don’t have adequate access to such care, division director Amanda Organist said.
The dentistry school’s SEAL Indiana program uses portable equipment to offer services including exams, dental sealants, and fluoride treatments. Started in 2018, SEAL Indiana is staffed by licensed faculty dentists, senior dental students, and a staff member.
Through the IU Center for Rural Engagement, the program generally partners with schools and regularly makes visits to Crawford, Harrison and Orange counties.
The Bartholomew County Health Department has long wanted to partner with the SEAL Indiana program to provide the service, Organist said.
“But since our schools are super-busy, they are not able to get them in,” Organist said. “There is a great need for our community, for our children. Our goal is to have (SEAL Indiana personnel) join us at some of our off-site clinics.”
She expects the IU dental team to be at the annual Back-to-School Health Fair, as well as school-related clinics if possible, she said.
No child will be allowed to receive treatment without the consent of a parent or guardian, Organist said. There is no cost to taxpayers, although the SEAL program does bill insurance if the student’s family has it.
Ivy Tech
The second approved program will allow nursing students at Ivy Tech Community College in Columbus to follow and possibly assist health department personnel, Organist said.
While IU Columbus nursing students have long been provided the same experience, the nursing division director says this is the first time that Ivy Tech students have received approval to do the same. The agreement between Ivy Tech and the health department extends to Feb. 14, 2027.
Although the experience is generally intended for nursing students to observe real world interactions, Organist says some IU Columbus nursing students were allowed to administer vaccines during a flu clinic. However, she says that is only allowed if a faculty or staff member is directly overseeing the inoculation.
Quit Now
Finally, the nursing division has been given permission to use $9,100 to supports and promote the Quit Now Indiana program for smoking cessation. The money will come from state funds allocated locally through the Health First Indiana program.
While the free program is available only to Hoosiers 18 years and older, the state has opened up their 24/7 Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) to youth tobacco users. Quit Now Indiana also has special programs for behavior health and pregnant women.
Kylee Jones, Tobacco Awareness Coordinator for the Healthy Communities Initiative of Columbus Regional Health, says the funds will go toward engaging teens in different activities to keep them away from risky behaviors.
The initiative will also work with other programs to help pregnant women stay tobacco-free, as well as examine the link between tobacco use and some individuals with mental health problems.
The nursing division received permission from the Bartholomew County commissioners to move ahead with the three programs.
