Spurwink is proud to celebrate the achievements of Spurwink Nurse Practitioner Sarah Labonte and our collaborative partners in the “Fostering Systems Change: Addressing Oral Health in Maine’s Child Welfare System” initiative. This project, running from September 2023 to March 2025, marks a significant step forward in ensuring that children entering foster, kinship, or adoptive care in Maine receive the oral health support they deserve. Sarah was recently recognized in an award presentation in the 2025 Teledentistry Innovation Awards.
Project Background: Why Oral Health Matters for Youth in Care
Each year, over 900 children enter Maine’s child welfare system, with 2,500–3,500 youth in care at any given time. Many of these children have missed out on preventive dental care, resulting in significant oral health needs. Despite strong advocacy from resource parents, accessing dental services remains a challenge, especially given the time-sensitive nature of interventions for children in foster care.
Recognizing these gaps, Spurwink joined a statewide coalition—including medical, dental, and social service organizations—to build a coordinated approach for addressing dental disease and establishing positive oral health trajectories for youth in care. The project’s multi-pronged strategy included developing systems for children entering care, piloting dental clinics for youth already in the system, and increasing oral health knowledge among those supporting these youth.
This project demonstrates the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing systemic challenges. Thanks to the dedication of Sarah Labonte and all involved, Maine’s child welfare, medical, and dental systems are now better equipped to support the oral health of youth in care. Spurwink is honored to be part of this transformative effort, which not only improves health outcomes but also opens pathways to high-demand careers for youth with lived experience.
Read Dentistry Today’s coverage: www.dentistrytoday.com/mouthwatch-announces-2025-tellie-award-winners and more at spurwink.org/oral-health
