G-1911-15805

This investment supports the Arkansas Medical Dental Pharmaceutical Association to develop a community-driven oral health plan that addresses disparities across minority and rural populations, connects communities with local and statewide resources, and builds an advocacy agenda that promotes long-term systems change. Arkansas Medical Dental Pharmaceutical Association (AMDPA) is a professional association of minority doctors, dentists and pharmacists based in Little Rock and operating throughout the state of Arkansas. Representing over 400 healthcare professionals, AMDPA was established as a forum for practicing African American doctors, dentists and pharmacists who were excluded from membership in most mainstream professional organizations. AMDPA has historically not received any funding from the DentaQuest Partnership. This investment supports the Arkansas Medical Dental Pharmaceutical Association (AMDPA) to develop a community-driven oral health plan that addresses disparities across minority and rural populations, connects communities with local and statewide resources, and builds an advocacy agenda that promotes long-term systems change. The proposed work aligns with the following DentaQuest Partnership priorities: promote health equity in Arkansas and engage grassroots partners in systems-change advocacy. AMDPA is a professional association of minority doctors, dentists and pharmacists based in Little Rock and operating throughout the state of Arkansas. Representing over 400 healthcare professionals, AMDPA was established as a forum for practicing African American doctors, dentists and pharmacists who were excluded from membership in most mainstream professional organizations. Historically, Arkansas has ranked in the lower percentile of key health indicators in the United States. However, with the appointment of the state Chief Science Officer to the committee for Health People 2030, there is an opportunity to leverage this work to ensure that underrepresented communities have an equitable voice in identifying methods to eliminate barriers to healthcare services and that the role and intersectionality of oral health is present. Specific deliverables of this work include: establish a statewide network of oral health networks to create a minority health disparities work plan; develop a statewide asset map and community needs assessment that identifies gaps in oral health access and resources in low to medium income, rural and minority communities; and host a statewide oral health and wellness convening, bringing together stateside and community partners. $75,000 will be used to support convenings, travel, marketing costs, and consultant time to support the project’s implementation.