Purpose of Project  To assess the state of oral health within Douglas County  To develop a strategic plan, utilizing the data obtained from the assessment, to ensure access to competent oral health care for everyone in Omaha

Being Effective in Public Health

Improve Community Health Readiness Investment

Being Effective in Public Health

Assessment/ Data  1997 Community Assessment  1998 Map of dental providers  1999 Participant Survey (n=700)  2000 Literature and Indicators Review  2001 Medicaid Dentist Capacity Survey  2002 Community Providers Capacity Survey  2003 “Remapped” dental provider

Data Results  Parents who have not seen a dentist have children who have not seen a dentist  Payor source and not transportation was the major concern for accessing care  25% of Medicaid dentists restrict access  Omaha safety-net providers represented 3527chair- hours of access per week  Remap showed gap area

Being Effective in Public Health

Strategic Planning Vision Improve the oral health of the Omaha community

Strategic Plan Mission Statement To link the community and the dental care providers in a partnership with individuals and families to improve oral health through access and education.

Strategies and Planning  Convene planning group  Identify key issues  Implement strategic planning process  Develop task groups for plan components  Determine group consensus for plan  Dialogue plan within the community

Planning Team Membership  State Dental Association  Local School District  Community Health Centers  2 Local Schools of Dentistry  Volunteer Dental and Medical Service Agency  Local Dental Association  Healthy Community Initiative  State Dental Director  Local Medical Society  Child Advocacy Group  United Way  Local Health Department

Strategies and Planning  Convene planning group  Identify key issues  Implement strategic planning process  Develop task groups for plan components  Determine group consensus for plan  Dialogue plan within the community

Issues Addressed by Plan  Reimbursement  Missed Appointments  Dental Workforce  Dental Education/ Recruitment  Public/ Professional Awareness Campaign  Coordination of Infrastructure  Medical Dental Link  Prevention Efforts

Strategies and Planning  Convene planning group  Identify key issues  Implement strategic planning process  Develop task groups for plan components  Build group consensus for plan  Dialogue plan within the community

Strategic Planning Process Goals  Improving access to care  Assuring community education  Integrating systems of care

Strategic Planning Process Audiences addressed in plan  Clients  Established dentists  Future dentists  Community providers  Public/ Legislators  Medical Providers

Strategies and Planning  Convene planning group  Identify key issues  Implement strategic planning process  Develop task groups for plan components  Build group consensus for plan  Dialogue plan within the community

Consensus Building Concerns to be addressed  Content of plan  Breadth of plan  Ownership/ Contribution  Funding  Timeline

Strategies and Planning  Convene planning group  Identify key issues  Implement strategic planning process  Develop task groups for plan components  Determine group consensus for plan  Dialogue plan within the community

Dialogue the plan Identified Opportunities for dialogue  Local Dental Association Meeting  Community Forum  Douglas County Board of Health  Plan members governing/ advisory boards

Being Effective in Public Health

Implementation  1999 Case Manager Training Program  2000 Volunteer Dentist Program  2001 Colgate Dental Days  2002 Concept Paper  2003 Sealant Program