R-2404-20892

Marshall University Research Corporation (Marshall University) is the development arm serving Marshall University, located in Huntington, West Virginia.

This proposal is focused on the Stars, Stripes, and Smiles program, which will assess knowledge gaps around veterans’ oral health access from both provider and patient perspectives. With the goal of improving access to care for West Virginia’s veterans, Marshall University will develop a comprehensive report on access, current wellbeing, and existing barriers to care for veterans.

Currently, there is a lack of quantitative and qualitative data about awareness levels among providers around veteran benefits and utilization of services by veterans in WV and nationally. As part of this project, Marshall University will complete a literature review to gain understanding of the national and state-level healthcare benefits and oral health status of the veteran population. The university will also host three (3) listening and learning sessions with oral health providers in West Virginia to inform and educate them of benefits, access gaps and trauma-informed care, what it means and how it can be applied to improve care. Finally, this project will directly engage with veterans in the WV for an oral health Basic Screening Surveillance (BSS) and semi-structured interview that will also inform the oral health report.

Over the past 3 years, Marshall University has hosted direct service days for active military and their families and participated in AIDPH’s Hill Day events to reach other veterans. The organization is now looking to leverage its learnings and relationships in the state within the oral health system to address significant inequities in access for this population. Based on data included in the proposal, there are approximately 136,000 veterans living in West Virginia and the state has the highest percentage of veterans with heart disease and edentulism in the US. Through this project, the university plans to compile and distribute data and findings along with recommendations for systemic change statewide and nationally. This will be accomplished in part by educating key policymakers, investors, veterans, and others about the opportunities to seamlessly support veteran oral health.

Partners who have agreed to working collaboratively include the Veterans for Foreign Wars, American Veterans, the American Legion, and the Marine Corps League. Policymakers will also be called to utilize the report produced through this project. In partnership with these stakeholders, outcomes of this work will include the comprehensive report focused on Veteran oral health in WV, a literature review summary, a stakeholder survey summary, and a veteran oral health basic screening surveillance document.

The budget request for this proposal will support the project director, public health dental hygienist, oral health program coordinator, and data support roles. Additionally, some funding will support travel-related expenses for presentations, technological assistance, and a grant support specialist contract. Overall, the funds requested amount to less than 1% of the organization’s budget.