The DentaQuest Foundation has renewed all implementation grants that were awarded through the Oral Health 2014 Initiative.
Since 2011, the foundation has provided grants to 18 state-based organizations working toward making oral healthcare accessible to those who currently do not receive such care.
The Oral Health 2014 Initiative aims to eliminate systemic barriers that limit access to oral healthcare through strong community partnerships, according to the foundation.
Participating organizations were chosen for their capacity to engage partners and develop a plan that addressed one or more of the following priority areas:
- Prevention and public health infrastructure
- Oral health literacy
- Medical-dental collaboration
- Developing metrics for improving oral health
- Financing models
- Strengthening the dental care delivery system
During the first year, grantee organizations were guided in engaging community stakeholders, assessing local needs, and developing oral health solutions with specific objectives. After a successful planning year, the implementation phase funding enabled grantees to put their plans into action. In the third phase, grantees will be provided with financial support and technical assistance to ensure their projects are moving forward.
This year's recipients of grants include the following:
- AL - University of Alabama
- AZ - Arizona Dental Foundation
- CA - Children Now
- CO - Oral Health Colorado
- FL - Florida Public Health Institute
- ID - Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- MD - Maryland Dental Action Coalition
- MI - Michigan Oral Health Coalition
- MS - Mississippi State Department of Health
- ND - North Dakota Department of Health
- NJ - American Academy of Pediatrics, New Jersey Chapter
- OR - Oregon Oral Health Coalition
- PA - Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- RI - Rhode Island Kids Count
- SC - South Carolina Research Foundation
- VA - Virginia Oral Health Coalition
- WA - Children's National Medical Center
- WV - West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
