1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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………………………….

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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 ………….

11. 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 ………….

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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...

15. 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……

16. 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???

17. 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?

18. 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