Promoting the Development of State Oral Health Programs November 12, 2008 National Primary Oral Health Care Conference in collaboration with the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors Thanks Follow-up to Partnership meetings Christine Wood, RDH President ASTDD

State Oral Health Programs What we do ASTDD Guidelines for State and Territorial OH Programs Who we are ASTDD Infrastructure & Capacity Report; ASTDD State Synopsis State Oral Health Programs ASTDD Guidelines What we are charged to do Who Cares Why we are here today………….. Should people care; how do we make them understand who we are What we don’t do Who we aren’t Who Cares

State Oral Health Programs Evidence Base for Services Epi; Biostats; Surveillance; Determinants of health Clinical Preventive Services Exams, Prophys, Fluorides; Oral Cancer Screening; Anticipatory Guidance State Oral Health Programs PH Competencies Community Preventive Services Fluoridation; Sealants; School based programs Access to Care/ Health Systems Facilities; Workforce; Reimbursement; Health Policy

State Oral Health Programs Dentistry Dental Hygiene Other Health Professions State Oral Health Programs Linking Professions State oral health programs bridge the gaps. Public Health Epidemiology Health Education Health Promotion Education, Research, Evaluation Universities, Community Colleges

State Oral Health Programs Dental Regulators PH; Prof Reg; Insurance; Higher Ed; Nuclear Health Agencies PH; Human Services, Medicaid, PCO, Bd of Health State Oral Health Programs The ‘Go To’ Place in State Gov Elected Officials Gov, Lt. Gov, Legislators Other State Entities State University System; State Board of Ed; EPA; Aging; Justice;Veteran affairs PROVIDING CONTINUITY………………………….

State Oral Health Programs Collecting, Analyzing & Providing Data Training & Education State Oral Health Programs Supporting Communities We provide the skills to communities to have them influence their decision makers. Program Support: Grants, Materials, TA Sealants, Clinics, Health Ed Materials Building Partnerships State & Local Coalitions

State Oral Health Programs Federal Funding CDC, HRSA (MCHB); Earmarks State Funds General Revenue; Tobacco; Earmarks State Oral Health Programs Leveraging Resources Foundations and Grants RWJ; Health Care Conversion funds; others Hidden Resources Medicaid; Head Start; Special funds

State Oral Health Programs Requirements for effectiveness & Leadership and Authority Oral Health and Public Health Expertise State Oral Health Programs Requirements for effectiveness & longevity Credibility & Accountability to the Public and Profession Salience

and quantity of life for State Oral Health Programs Eliminate Oral Health Disparities Improve the quality and quantity of life for all Americans State Oral Health Programs Salience Promote oral health as integral to health Promote optimal oral health for all as a public good

Public Health Core Functions Every state oral health program should have the capacity and infrastructure to perform the basic public health functions of: Assessment Policy Development Assurance ASTDD Infrastructure and Capacity Report ………….

Essential elements critical for a vibrant state oral health program State based oral health surveillance system Leadership State OH improvement plan Develop and promote policies to improve OH Provide OH communication and education to policymakers and the public Provide population based interventions Build community capacity Develop health system interventions to facility quality dental care Leverage resources Vibrant programs make a huge difference. Thy make sure that dental sealants stick They make sure that community water is optimally fluoridated. ASTDD Infrastructure and Capacity Report ………….

CDC Core State Oral Health Program Infrastructure and Capacity Grants Assessment Surveillance System Burden Document Policy Development Leadership State Oral Health Plan Statewide Oral Health Coalition Systems and Policy Change Assurance Fluoridation Program Management and Promotion Sealant Program Management

HRSA State Oral Health Collaborative Systems Grants Assessment Sealant/ECC prevalence State MCH Need Assessments Policy Development Summits & State Plans; Medicaid/SCHIP Collaborations; Adolescent and School Health; Systems Integration: Head Start, WIC, Medicine & Dentistry Assurance School Based Sealant Programs; Fluoride Varnish Programs; Safety-net expansions

Key points: A vibrant SOHP can provide accountability for limited state financial resources……… A vibrant SOHP can build and foster partnerships between federal, state and local governmental entities to improve oral health………. A vibrant SOHP can build and foster partnerships between state government agencies & communities, practitioners, and dental education...

Key points: A vibrant SOHP can act as a “focal point” & provide oral health expertise for state action to improve oral health…… A vibrant SOHP can provide continuity for moving a comprehensive oral health agenda forward…… A vibrant SOHP can convene a broad array of stakeholders to improve OH……

Key points: A vibrant SOHP can promote legislation and policies to improve oral health…… A vibrant SOHP can serve as a non-biased information “broker” to state officials and legislators…… Others???

Questions? What are the key messages we should be delivering? What are the best media for doing so? How can we partner with you to communicate the value of state oral health programs to your state affiliates, members, and the policymakers whom you educate? How do we best communicate/educate policymakers?

When you’ve seen one…….. Nevada Alaska Colorado Arkansas Illinois Against all odds: starting at ground zero Alaska Building partnerships Colorado The power of data and surveillance Arkansas Population based prevention: community water fluoridation Illinois The impact of a state plan and coalition