GRANT00064

Support to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to implement a plan to ensure that Idaho children, adolescents and adults at high-risk for oral disease will have more access to oral health preventive services and will have greater awareness about how to achieve good oral health, which will be accomplished through the collaboration of medical and dental professionals, public health and community partners. In order to achieve this vision, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will increase the oral health knowledge of medical providers by implementing the Smiles for Life curriculum within four community health centers and a HRSA funded Teaching Health Center (FMRI) as well as determine the best methods for incorporating the curriculum into the ISU physician assistant program; pilot three medical collaboration projects specifically targeting individuals with diabetes mellitus; pilot four medical-dental collaboration projects specifically targeting infants and/or children; and pilot two medical-dental collaboration projects specifically targeting pregnant mothers. Additionally Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will pilot five fluoride varnish and oral health prevention programs specifically targeting high risk infants and children; pilot a Teen Dental Clinic specifically for adolescents in middle or high school; increase awareness and importance of nutrition in relation to good oral health among Early Head Start families. By the end of 2014, Idaho should expect to see more community engagement, a plan for sustainability and, as a result, more children, adolescents and adults accessing preventive services.