Strategic Focus: Oral Health

Background

Kansas can celebrate significant advances in oral health since the Health Fund first began funding in this area in 1998.

Advances include reestablishment of an Office of Oral Health inside the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, formation of an effective statewide oral health coalition (Oral Health Kansas), integration of prevention and screenings into many social services and medical practices, ten more communities offering water fluoridation, greater capacity for oral health services in low-income clinics, and expanded practice for dental hygienists in public health.

Even with all of this positive direction, the annual Kansas Mission of Mercy free dental clinic, long waiting lists at many low-income clinics for dental services, and desperate calls from people in pain remind us that oral health remains a health issue for thousands of Kansans.

Our trustees have reaffirmed the Health Fund's continued focus on oral health. We will direct our efforts at assuring a sustainable infrastructure to continue support of oral health and at developing regional access to affordable dental care for low-income Kansans.

2007-2009 Goal:

Strengthen the Kansas infrastructure to support continued and sustained improvements and expansion in oral health access, prevention, and awareness

Objectives

• Achieve an effective and sustainable Kansas infrastructure to support oral health
• Create access to dental care on a regional basis for low-income Kansans
• Attract and support innovative ideas for improving the oral health of Kansans