1604-12114

This investment supports the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) to continue to serve as the backbone organization for the Idaho Oral Health Network, a growing statewide network of oral health advocates and champions who will work collectively towards achieving oral health equity in Idaho. Specifically, IDHW will support and manage the Idaho Oral Health Network (IOHN), providing technical assistance, shared virtual learning opportunities, and in-person gatherings; develop a regional oral health network communication plan and identify necessary resources and quarterly newsletter content; and facilitate a process through which regional networks refine their objectives for Year 2 and create concrete action steps. During the initial year of funding, IDHW has established seven regional oral health coalitions who have developed a shared vision and mission for the state's oral health. Each coalition has defined a set of objectives for the following year that will impact systems change in Idaho, focusing on the integration of oral health into primary care, leveraging points of access for underserved populations, especially those from American Indian communities and refugees new to the state, and incorporating oral health into school policy and programming. In addition, the state of Idaho is currently implementing the Idaho State Healthcare Innovation Plan, the purpose of which is to redesign Idaho’s healthcare system, evolving from a fee–for-service, volume-based system to a value-based system of care that rewards improved health outcomes. Supporting IDHW to develop locally-driven networks connected to key statewide stakeholders is critical to its efforts of integrating oral health into this model and shifting the care delivery system to one that promotes optimal health outcomes (including oral health) rather than procedures. $150,800 will be used to support personnel time to oversee network development, travel and meeting expenses, the development of the regional oral health network, and contracted services including meeting facilitation and project evaluation. This proposal is aligned with Oral Health 2020 Goal of eradicating dental disease in children and the target that, with the closing of disparity gaps, 85% of children reach age 5 without a cavity by 2020.