1801-13689

This investment supports the Maryland Dental Action Coalition (MDAC) to continue to serve as the backbone organization of the oral health network in Maryland by connecting and bridging activities and engaging new traditional and non-traditional partners. Over the past year, MDAC and its partners have shown significant progress towards securing funding for Medicaid adult dental benefits in the state budget and building structural capacity in the state’s oral health network. Specifically, in 2018, MDAC will continue to advocate for the Medicaid adult dental benefit and implement the 2018-2023 Maryland Oral Health Plan; expand the impact of Maryland’s oral health network both within the state and in the District of Columbia; and protect pediatric dental coverage as an essential health benefit and improve availability and access to dental services for children with complex dental needs. In doing so, MDAC will demonstrate the power and reach of a cohesive, diverse state oral health network. The proposal aligns with the Oral Health 2020 goal of including an adult dental benefit in publicly funded health coverage and that at least 30 states have an extensive Medicaid adult dental benefit. $126,977 will be used to support personnel time and travel throughout the state, convenings, communications materials, and technology and other supplies needed to implement the work.