GRANT00294

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will implement a plan to ensure that Idaho children, adolescents and adults at high risk for oral disease will have more access to preventive services and greater awareness of how to achieve good oral health. The Department is engaging collaboration among medical and dental professionals, public health and community partners to meet this vision, implementing the Smiles for Life curriculum within four community health centers and a HRSA-funded Teaching Health Center (FMRI) to increase the oral health knowledge of medical providers and determine best practices for incorporating the curriculum into the ISU physician assistant program. It will also pilot medical-dental collaboration projects targeting individuals with diabetes mellitus, infants and/or children and pregnant mothers. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will pilot five fluoride varnish and oral health prevention programs for high risk infants and children; pilot a Teen Dental Clinic for adolescents in middle or high school, and increase awareness and importance of nutrition for 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 oral health services.