Methods: States were ranked as high, medium and low infrastructure and core capacity based on the following criteria. 1. OH workforces including state dental director and staff; 2. OH surveillance system capable of collecting data at local level; 3. OH improvement plan that sets priorities and initiates appropriate interventions; 4. linkages with partners to integrate OH issues into established venues through development of coalitions, advisory committees and workgroups, and 5. current OH program capacity. Utilization of funds was evaluated.
Results: Two years after receipt of funding, development of infrastructure and program core capacity varied depending on INFR. All states used some funding to expand surveillance and evaluation capacity and linkages with partners. In addition, school-based OH education programs were developed or expanded in each state. One state with high INFR expanded its school linked/based sealant programs by 40 programs. Three states with high or medium INFRA developed or expanded clinical provider networks and network referral protocols. The low INFRA states were only able to build OH coalitions.
Conclusions: Baselines were established based on recognized priorities for OH infrastructure. States chose to develop OH infrastructure and program core capacity through a variety of methods, and some have been extremely successful. States with high or medium INFRA were able to implement or expand preventive programs suggesting that a certain level of infrastructure is required.
Learning Objectives: Overall objectives include:1. Examine how five states with different levels of Oral Health infrastructure and core capacity receiving CDC funding integrate oral health into school health programs. 2. Evaluate process outcomes and OH infrastructure attributable to funding.
Keywords: Oral Health, Evaluation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.