GRANT00370

Support to the California Primary Care Association (CPCA) as part of the DentaQuest Foundation Strengthening the Oral Health Safety Net Initiative. As full implementation of Health Care Reform moves closer, strengthening oral health and promoting integration of oral health with primary care has become more important for California’s safety net providers. Emphasis on the Triple Aim and progress towards practice transformation for Patient Centered Medical Home recognition have highlighted the need for providing integrated primary and preventive care services to truly meet the needs of patients and the new health care delivery system. To support these goals, CPCA proposes to conduct activities to strengthen integrated care and oral health safety net program operations and efficiency. Dental and medical providers, along with PCA and health center leadership, will be actively engaged in the project to ensure increased integration across the professions. Funding will support new efforts by CPCA staff to ensure that oral health and dental practice issues are elevated within the PCA and to help CPCA expand its participation in national, statewide, and regional oral health workgroups and advisory groups. CPCA