dqf2019026

This investment supports QUEST in AI/AN Children to convene working groups and bring subject matter experts together to report progress, and share results of their efforts to develop preventive solutions for children in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities suffering from high prevalence of severe caries in the primary dentition (CIPD). Children in AI/AN communities are overwhelmingly unresponsive to conventional preventive measures, and this work will build awareness and spread knowledge about effective practices that providers can employ to reduce CIPD among children in this population. $98,000 will support staff time to facilitate multi-disciplinary workgroups, travel, office operations, meeting expenses, and a consultant to conduct data support and analysis. This proposal aligns with the Oral Health 2020 Goal 4 of eradicating dental disease in children and the target of having 75% of children reach age 5 without a cavity.