1510-11519

National: This investment supports Oral Health America (OHA) to support the development of a national network committed to creating systems and an environment that leads to the inclusion of adult dental benefits in publicly funded health insurance by 2020. Specifically, OHA will build upon the strategies that emerged from the Medicare Symposium, engaging consumer groups and other advocates through marketing and communications aimed at raising awareness and supporting action towards a dental benefit in Medicare; formalizing a coalition among organizations that represent a broad and diverse group of influential allies from within and outside the oral health sector; convening a group of experts and key stakeholders to continue to the momentum initiated during the Symposium; facilitating the development of an evidence-based dental benefit in Medicare; and advocating for policies that promote vulnerable populations, especially older adults. There is an increased awareness among key stakeholders about the importance of this benefit and strategies for its implementation. $321,464 will be used to support personnel time, travel necessary for coalition building efforts, meeting expenses to convene this growing network, the implementation and distribution of a public opinion survey to gain insights into consumer perspectives and concerns, and administrative costs associated with this project's implementation. This work aligns with the Oral Health 2020 Goal of including a dental benefit in publicly funded insurance, and the target that by 2020, Medicare includes a dental benefit.