G-1901-14737

This investment supports Put People First! PA (PPF-PA) to building grassroots power to restore the comprehensive adult dental benefit in Medicaid. PPF-PA focuses on consumer engagement and activation at the grassroots level to advocate for a comprehensive adult dental benefit in Medicaid, as well as integration with the national Poor People’s Campaign. Working closely with the other Pennsylvania grassroots lead organizations and the oral health coalition, their goals for 2019 are to create 3-5 new organizing committees across the state; develop stronger accountable relationships inside the governor’s administration to identify more oral health champions; and get 30 state legislators to sign onto their platform which includes restoring the adult dental benefit. $70,800 will support staff time, local travel, and an annual leadership assembly. This proposal aligns with the Oral Health 2020 Goal 6 of improving the public perception of the value of oral health to overall health and the target that oral health is increasingly included in health dialogue and public policy.