Beth Truett President & CEO Oral Health America
OHA’s mission is to change lives by connecting communities with resources to drive access to care, increase health literacy, and advocate for policies that improve overall health through better oral health for all Americans, especially those most vulnerable. .
Dora Fisher, MPH Older Adult Program Manager Oral Health America
Meet the team!
toothwisdom.org
Advocacy
Health Education & Communications
EDUCATE
CONNECT
ADVOCATE
communities with support & resources to access care
for oral health of older adults, especially those most vulnerable
older adults and their caregivers
Professional Symposia
Demonstration Projects
Connects older adults and caregivers to resources via a clickable map Provides plain-language oral health information
Host a clearinghouse or oral health, aging research, and educational information for professionals
Workshop for older adults delivered in settings where they naturally congregate: senior centers, libraries, places of worship Curriculum developed by a geriatric dentist and health educator takes a symptoms-based approach to oral health care. OHA trains American Dental Hygienists’ Association hygienists to educate community-dwelling older adults to build self-efficacy in caring for their oral health • Working and communicating with older adults • Cultural Competency • Presentation skills and group facilitation Encourages older adult participants to recognize that prevention is critical at all ages • Demonstrates good oral hygiene practice • Participants take a pre/post assessment • Receive oral hygiene products and list of resources within their community & tip sheets
• OHA strives to educate decision makers and the general public about the critical relationship between good oral health and good overall health. • Regarding older adults, OHA supports policies that: • Call for affordable coverage through publicly funded dental benefits • Increase access to care • Achieve health equity
How we raise awareness
Report that measured state data for five indicators impacting older adult oral health Seventeen states received a “poor� score of below 50 percent of the possible top score 42% of states (21 states) provide either no dental benefit or emergency coverage only through adult Medicaid Dental Benefits 31 states (62%) have high rates of Dental Health Shortage Areas (DHSPAs)
‘Be Informed’ ‘Take Action’
New features will allow consumers to:
• Strategy: Create an online community by utilizing toothwisdom.org to lay the groundwork for a grassroots advocacy movement.
• Connect with local advocacy groups, including state partners
• Purpose: Educate consumers on the issues in order to prompt action.
• Access template letters to send legislators • Learn about national and state specific legislation through news articles & reports, including A State of Decay Report
Matthew Bond Manager of Grants and Programs The DentaQuest Foundation
Oral Health 2020: Improved Oral Health for All
How Change Happens
Oral Health as a Social Justice Issue • Everyone should have the same opportunities to live a healthy life • A person in poor oral health is not healthy
• It’s our responsibility to advocate for and mobilize the many who don’t have access to oral health care and prevention • Nobody should suffer from a chronic disease that is completely preventable • Until we all have an equal opportunity to live healthy lives, we will live in an unjust society
Networks: Patterns of evolution
Scattered Clusters
Hub-and-Spoke
Where Most Network-Building Begins
Multi-Hub
Time
Core Periphery
Self-Sustaining Network
Networks in Action: Social Movement • • • • •
Rapid, large-scale improvement Redefined systems New social norms Significant public policy change Movement principles—Movements: – – – – – –
Endorse values Confront power Are grassroots Have scale Take time Are messy
Sustainable Collaborative Infrastructure •
“Nothing is possible without individuals; nothing is lasting without institutions.” -Jean Monnet
The Role of Coalitions: Connecting the Individual to the Institution Values of the Community
Implementation Agency
Resource Allocation
Public Policy
Implementation Process
Technical Capacity and Knowledge
Oral Health Infrastructure and Activities
Suzanne Tanis, RDH, BS Michigan Coalition for Oral Health for the Aging
Jackie O’Connor Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan
Theme: Collaboration Maximize each others’: • Resources • Knowledge • Skills • Networks For the improvement of oral health for the aging No need to reinvent the wheel
Four Project Collaborations 1.OHA Website • COHA helps with dental care resources • AAA’s help with social resources
2. Dental Days The Original Dental Day was a partnership with COHA and Dr. Ghezzi who provided guidance and experience. • Provide exams, cleanings, x-rays for the older adult population • COHA: recruited hygienists, obtained facility, equipment and supplies • AAA: recruited and scheduled patients with local partners, completed forms, transportation, meals for volunteers
Subsequent Dental Days Partnered with . . . Grand Rapids Community College Dental Program Continue to provide exams, cleanings, and x-rays Utilize the Dental Programs faculty dentists Recruit local volunteer dental hygienists Provides community experience for dental students • AAA received foundation grants for expenses of food, parking, insurance and gift cards • • • •
2015 incorporates Senior Millage funding and a third party to coordinate Dental Days and adds 3 more clinics.
3. Presentation and Oral Care Supplies Distribution
• Dr. Elisa Ghezzi gave oral care presentation to social workers at AAA1B • Brought 10 boxes of supplies for Meals On Wheels Program 4. Healthy Mouth Matters
• COHA: Dental providers interested in providing education to senior centers and LTC facilities • AAA: recruited to assist in identifying interested groups/organizations • OHA: “Get Smart About Your Mouth” Project will train hygienists and brings structure to HMM • MDHA: participating in recruitment of dental hygiene educators
www.micoha.org www.aaawm.org
Dr. Gary Colangelo Delaware Oral Health Coalition
Chris Oakes Delaware Aging and Disability
www.DOHCSmiles.org
Mission To provide leadership and advocacy so that the people of Delaware can access affordable, quality oral health care with emphasis on early prevention and maintenance contributing to total health and wellbeing. Vision
Delaware, the First State to ensure optimal oral health for everyone!
Oversee the implementation of the State Oral Health Plan, in collaboration with the Division of Public Health and Coalition Develop strategies to implement the State Oral Health Plan
Create a climate for intervention by bringing stakeholders together in a neutral environment to address oral health issues
Coalition Operating Principles
Drive initiatives by creating partnerships through existing service providers Support the implementation of strategies through advocacy of policy makers and community leaders Seek resources for supporting initiatives Be an oral health policy recommending entity
2015 DOHC Plan and Goals Goal 1. Improve access to oral health care and disease prevention for aging adults and persons with disabilities. Goal 2. Improve access to oral health care and disease prevention for children. Goal 3. Increase the oral health literacy of all Delaware residents. Goal 4. Increase partnerships and collaborations to build and maintain a coordinated advocacy initiative to improve oral health systems in DE.
DOHC Partnerships - Moving Plan into Action
• DOHC/Division of Public Health (DPH) • • • •
State leadership – visible, trusted entities to further oral heath priorities in DE History/Accomplishments to date - DE Smiles (OH for DE Children) Strengthened infrastructure & existing network - approximately 50 members Recruited & engaged new partners from Delaware’s aging & disability network
• DOHC Board • •
Diversified Board representation to include lead aging & disability organizations Guides & supports State’s oral health priorities, implementation of DOHC Plan
• DOHC Plan/Action Groups • • •
Diverse partners developed DOHC Plan, Goals & Objectives Goal identified to advance OH for aging adults & persons with disabilities Action Groups now developing strategies to further the DOHC Goals & Objectives
DOHC Partnerships - Moving Forward
• • • • •
DOHC Highlights: DE Smiles, DE Dental Directory; DOHC Website Legislation/Policy: Improving Adult OH; reintroduced in 2015
Outreach: Promote OH priorities, services & resources via online & print publications, community venues Training: Coordinate & promote OH training (formal/informal) State Health Plans/Initiatives: incorporate OH into key State Health Plans & Initiatives. Examples include: DE Health Equity Plan; State TeleHealth Plan; State Health Improvement Plan; Gov. Advisory Council for Services for Older Adults & Persons with Disabilities; Delaware Developmental Disability Council)
• Partnerships: initiate formal agreement with OHA, DentaQuest Partnership; Coordinate & host DOHC Forums (Spring) & Annual Meeting (Fall)
Partnership DOHC Partners with Delaware ADRC ADRC Initiative
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Nationwide network- www.adrc-tae.org Goals of ADRC Network:
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Awareness: Provides info about longterm support services (LTSS) & options Assistance: Empowers people to make informed choices based on personal preferences Access: Facilitates access to LTSS
All states have at least 1; most are regional Cornerstone of LTC reform & rebalancing efforts
It’s all about the NETWORK & MODEL
• • • •
• • • •
Delaware ADRC One-stop access point for LTSS Available to all Delawareans 24/7 via phone & online (DSAAPD & ADRC websites) Built upon partnerships throughout the statewide aging & disability service network Located within the Division of Services for Aging & Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD)
Dedicated website & searchable database Provides link to DE Dental Resource Directory Links DOHC to extensive Aging & Disability partnership network (state/national) & resources Provides a model infrastructure for moving DOHC plan forward…
Partnership with Oral Health America DOHC Partners with OHA Activities since 2014
• Signed Partner Agreement - Campaign for Dental Health in January 2014 • Added OHA and Tooth Wisdom web links on DOHC website; link to DE ADRC •
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website Share OHA resources, innovative policies, payment models, best practices, lessons learned from other OHA partners Participate in national/regional webinars & advocacy efforts (White House Conference on Aging – Reauthorization of Older Americans Act) Collaborate with national health, aging & disability organizations including: CDC, NIH, CMS, Administration for Community Living, National Council on Aging (NCOA), AARP
What does it mean to be an OHA Partner? • • • •
Oral Health America Visible, trusted national leader in promoting OH for all Americans Lead advocate for national OH priorities Hub for sharing OH info & resources Coordinating entity for networking with state OH coalitions; facilitates crosstraining for coalition partners
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DE Oral Health Coalition Adds value for DOHC, viewed as lead entity in promoting oral health for all Delawareans Aligns with & supports State OH priorities; Strengthens advocacy efforts Provides access to national/regional OH info, best practices, resources & data reports Promotes national cross-training & networking opportunities to all DOHC & community partners
Thank You Delaware Oral Health Coalition Delaware ADRC
If you are interested in partnering with the Wisdom Tooth ProjectŽ please complete an interest form Sign up for updates via OHA’s Wisdom Tooth Insider For more information or questions please contact Danica Collins
Matthew Bond The DentaQuest Foundation Matthew.Bond@dentaquestfoundation.org
Dr. Gary Colangelo Delaware Oral Health Coalition garycolangelo2@comcast.net
Suzanne Tanis Michigan Coalition for Oral Health for the Aging suzannetanis@continuingconnections.com
Chris Oakes Delaware Aging and Disability Chris.Oakes@state.de.us
Jackie O’Connor Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan Jackie@aaawm.org
Dora Fisher Older Adult Programs Manager Oral Health America dora.fisher@oralhealthamerica.org Danica Collins Programs & Communications Coordinator Oral Health America danica.collins@oralhealthamerica.org Bianca Rogers Advocacy Coordinator Oral Health America bianca.rogers@oralhealthamerica.org Beth Truett President & CEO Oral Health America beth@oralhealthamerica.org