GRANT00343

Continued support to the Chicago Community Oral Health Forum (CCOHF) for a multi-tiered collaborative effort which works to improve access to oral health services, oral health promotion, and disease prevention for all residents in Chicago. In working toward this goal, CCOHF evaluates oral health improvement programs at the community level, and works with key oral health care providers and community leaders to coordinate, expand and improve existing oral health resources and initiatives in Chicago. The momentum of CCOHF points to the value and effectiveness of a collaborative effort directed toward health system improvements. CCOHF's work continues to objectively report on oral health disease burden, the need to address this through state and local coordinated efforts, mobilize partners and stakeholders, work with organized dentistry to advocate for the staffing of key oral health leadership positions, and to advocate for the responsible allocation of additional resources that impact access to care in Chicago and Cook County. The Framework's principals and strategies are based on Healthy People 2020 objectives, the two Institute of Medicine reports on oral health, and the 2010 State Health Improvement Plan. The Chicago Framework is also well-aligned to the unifying messages from the first four U.S. National Oral Health Alliance Colloquia.