G-2308-19599

Suwannee River Area Health Education Center is the fiscal sponsor for Floridians for Dental Access (FLDA), Florida’s leading oral health advocacy coalition that is led and composed of dental experts aiming to transform policy into practice.

FLDA has been funded by CareQuest Institute since 2021 and through their previous grant, were able to expand their membership from 65 organizations and individuals to over 210 organizations, dental/other health professionals, and individuals. Also in 2021, FLDA, alongside CareQuest Institute, was able to receive significant media recognition focused on Florida’s high emergency department usage rates by children for non-traumatic dental conditions.

This proposal falls under the subprogram, Strengthen Community Voice and State Advocacy. It leverages key timing as Dental Therapy legislation was introduced in the House and Senate in January 2024 due to six years of continuous work and advocacy.

Key activities of this proposal include:
Continue educating the public and policy makers about the benefits and anticipated outcomes of the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact legislation to ensure passage.

Seek and elevate the voices of underserved communities by involving them in decision making through expanding the FLDA Steering Committee, particularly communities of color.

The budget for this proposal is $112,488, which represents 10% of the total organizational budget. Included in the budget are funds for salaries, meeting costs and subcontracts with organizations serving on the subcommittee to provide testimony on lived experience.