Oral Health Plan Section

PURPOSE

To advocate for effective policies and increase public awareness to promote optimal oral health for Massachusetts.

OVERVIEW

The focus of the policy, advocacy and public awareness strategy is to:

• Identify, evaluate, and integrate policies that support oral health efforts appropriate to the political, social and economic climate in Massachusetts.
• Advocate for policies that improve access, utilization and equity in oral health, and eliminate disparities across the lifespan.
• Build public awareness by engaging in advocacy activities and working collaboratively with other groups to promote sound oral health policies.
• Integrate oral health into all aspects of health education and care.
• Advocate for policies based on evidence of efficacy or expert opinion and reliable data.
• Advocate for the inclusion of oral health services across the lifespan in federal and state health care reforms.

GOAL 1: Provide ongoing assessment and development of policies and programs to inform policy work.

Objectives:

1. Inventory current and proposed national, state and local statutes, regulations, and policies related to matters that impact oral health. (By 2010)
2. Assess challenges and opportunities in health policy, financing, quality and organization of the system of oral health care delivery that facilitate or create barriers to access, equity and utilization of oral health services. (2010‐2015)
3. Evaluate relevant national, state and local advocacy and policy efforts to identify best practices that offer the potential to prevent and control oral disease. (2010‐2015)

Action Steps:

• Assemble an ongoing expert task‐force of stakeholders representing the private and public sectors to inventory, assess and evaluate relevant policies.
• The taskforce will develop an evaluation protocol to produce evidence and recommendations for a policy agenda.
• The task‐force will produce an annual report to inform the Coalition’s policy agenda and guide the activities of the Policy, Advocacy and Public Awareness Workgroup.
• Foster oral health representation on health policy boards, advisory councils, boards of health, commissions and other entities (e.g. Health Quality and Cost Council, Payment Reform Commission, Disparities Council, Medical Home Group, MassHealth Payment Taskforce).

GOAL 2: Promote public awareness and build support for policies that improve oral health.

Objectives:

1. Develop a database of active oral health advocates, and increase the number of advocates annually. (By 2010, then updated annually)
2. To ensure increased advocacy and support for legislation that positively affects oral health, increase the active membership of the legislative Oral Health Caucus by 20%. (By 2011)
3. Increase public awareness of the impact that oral health policies and programs have on the health and well‐being of individuals and communities. (2010‐2015)
4. Ensure the inclusion of oral health quality measures in payment reform efforts and medical home initiatives. (2010‐2015)

Action Steps:

• Develop and implement coordinated campaigns and activities to inform state and local policymakers, stakeholders and the public‐at‐large about oral health, unmet oral health needs and effective policies and programs.
• Identify potential new members of the Legislative Oral Health Caucus and conduct targeted recruitment meetings.
• Engage regional professional associations and other organizations in legislative districts to help recruit members for the Legislative Oral Health Caucus.
• Promote programs and organizations that train and empower individuals and organizations to advocate for oral health.

GOAL 3: Implement a comprehensive policy agenda that supports the goals of the Coalition’s Oral Health Plan for Massachusetts.

Objectives:

1. Identify policy options that strengthen and support the capacity to promote innovations and support initiatives advancing the oral health plan. (By 2010)
2. Develop an annual policy agenda that advances the oral health plan. (By 2010, then annually)
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the policy agenda in promoting positive change. (2011‐2015)

Action Steps:

• Review the goals, objectives and strategies of the oral health plan to identify those that may benefit from action by the Policy, Advocacy and Public Awareness workgroup. Examples may include: fluoridation of public water supplies; funding for community and school‐based oral health prevention and education programs; funding for workforce development, including scholarships and loan forgiveness programs; and legislation to improve oral health and promote access to dental care for all residents.
• Identify policy priorities that promote improvements in the organization and financing of the oral health delivery system.
• Develop and promote a framework for the evaluation of the policy agenda.
• Develop and implement a rapid communication system to inform Coalition members and stakeholders about emerging oral health issues.

List of Workgroup Members

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