New Ore. strategic plan emphasizes need for state dental director

A new Oregon strategic plan for oral health emphasizes the need for a state dental director and the promotion of basic oral health literacy and preventive services, such as fluoride varnish, at local facilities serving children and their parents.

The report, titled "Strategic Plan for Oral Health in Oregon: 2014-2020," was issued last week by the Oregon Oral Health Coalition, the Oral Health Funders Collaborative, and the Oregon Health Authority.

The plan has already received endorsements from organizations such as Kaiser Permanente, the Oregon Dental Association, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), and the OHSU School of Dentistry.

The plan notes that in Oregon, 58% of third graders have experienced tooth decay, and most adults have some degree of oral disease. It states that only 33% of Oregonians ages 33 to 44 have lost no teeth, and 37% of seniors have lost six or more teeth

"Oregon needs a state dental director who will establish clinical, fiscal, and policy priorities for oral disease prevention and care," according to the document. "A dental director could also bring millions of dollars in federal grants to our state -- grants for which Oregon is currently not eligible because it lacks a state dental director."

Other recommendations include promoting basic oral health literacy, as well as preventive services such as fluoride varnish. These should be promoted at all local facilities serving children and their parents, including schools, child care centers, medical offices, and social service agencies, according to the plan.

Like many states, Oregon contains areas that are underserved. The plan recommends that oral health providers be "incentivized to work at their full licensure and in underserved areas" to help address such shortages.

The need for a "culturally and linguistically diverse workforce" is also addressed. "Increasing access to care is not enough; unless we address the economic and cultural factors that affect dental care utilization in specific communities, disparities and inequities will persist," the plan states.