GRANT00147

This grant will impact the systems of DQF interest (funding and policy) by providing general operating support and project support for CDHP to continue as a resource for DQF grantees and initiatives. CDHP is well positioned to provide technical support on current federal oral health activities to organizations with a shared goal as identified through DentaQuest supported activities.  Oral health policy opportunities and barriers in 2012 are likely to be focused on implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), on-going implementation of the dental benefit in the Children's Health Insurance Program (including the interface with ACA), integration of state oral health initiatives given limited resources, strengthening the oral health safety-net including FQHCs and school-based health centers, and measuring the quality of dental care paid for by public and private insurance sectors.  CDHP strives to build on existing relationships with national, state and local partners to improve dental care access for families. CDHP will provide the following support to DQF grantees: Quarterly updates to the Funders Group for Oral Health; timely national perspectives for Oral Health 2014 grantees and DQF technical support partners with content based on an assessment of the predominant priority areas identified through their plans; support NACHC and their affiliates through the Strengthening the Oral Health Safety Net Initiative; expand the dissemination of findings from the DentaQuest Institute’s SNS support to the Strengthening the Oral Health Safety Net Initiative through ongoing relationships with policymakers and federal officials.