146087 A policy development tool for state oral health programs

Tuesday, November 6, 2007: 8:30 AM

Burton L. Edelstein, DDS, MPH , Children's Dental Health Project, Washington, DC
Beth Hines, MPH, RDH , Division of Oral Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Marcy Frosh, JD , Children's Dental Health Project, Washington, DC
  
Title: Ready to move, but where's the map: A tool for setting priorities and moving oral health policy in states

Learning Objectives: After this session, the participant (learner) will be able to:

1. Discuss the benefits of assessing opportunities for systems and policy change at the state level to support oral health. 2. Describe the 5 steps involved in assessing current priorities for potential policy development. 3. Discuss the benefits of a systems change and policy action plan. 4. Describe the steps that move a policy action plan forward.

Abstract: Support systems need to be developed to sustain oral health programs. State plans, coalitions and partnerships are integral to successful programs. Strategies for developing socio-political, systems and policy changes that support oral health initiatives are important and may sustain long-term oral health activity at the state level.

How can a state oral health program prioritize actions, gain momentum, be recognized for its successes, yield the greatest good for the effort involved, and establish the path to growth and stability? The Children' Dental Health Project through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed this tool to help states assess opportunities for developing systems and policy change.

An overview of the policy tool and its use will be presented. The two-part tool is designed to assist state oral health programs with two activities: • Part I - Assess Opportunities for Socio-Political, Systems and Policy Change • Part II – Develop a Systems Development and Policy Action Plan

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the objectives for the policy development tool pilot project. 2. Name two benefits to using a process such as the policy tool for prioritizing proposed oral health activities at the state level. 3. Name one resource for finding out more information about this project.

Keywords: Oral Health, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Oral Health Policy and Programs
See more of: Oral Health