 One year ago, the Virginia Oral Health Coalition convened a broad group of stakeholders (you!) to create a plan to increase access to oral health prevention services by improving collaboration among medical and dental providers.
The road map you helped create leads to more oral health education and training for future and existing health care professionals and a practice environment that makes referrals and information-sharing easy.
Since receiving implementation funding from the DentaQuest Foundation last fall, we have already made progress toward our initiative goals. Of note:
- Professional Development: The Coalition is working with provider associations throughout the Commonwealth to provide over 300 health professionals with opportunities for oral health continuing education (CE) at upcoming regional meetings and annual conferences. For more information on oral health CE topics, or if you would like Coalition staff to help with an in-person or online CE opportunity, please contact Katherine Libby.
- Curriculum: Four clinical education programs are implementing the Smiles for Life curriculum where there was previously little oral health education. This will help ensure that oral health is a part of a patient's overall health and prepare future providers to deliver comprehensive care. The Coalition can help your program integrate Smiles for Life as well. If you are interested in a Smiles for Life summary or assistance with incorporating more oral health education into your classes, please let Katherine know.
You can also view a complete update of where we are in meeting our goals and objectives here. Please let me know your thoughts and continue to connect us with other organizations that are interested in education, the provider practice environment and improving access to oral health prevention services in the Commonwealth.
Sincerely,
Sarah Holland
Executive Director
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