GRANT00053

Support the University of Hawaii to implement a proposed planning process focusing on two of the six U.S. National Oral Health Alliance priorities: 1) Metrics for improving oral health and 2) Strengthening the dental care delivery system. The proposal utilizes planning guidelines from Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) 7-Step Model to convene diverse stakeholders to identify metrics, priority target populations, policies, programs, and strategies to strengthen the syste4m of oral health services for children and vulnerable populations. The project participants will review the Healthy People 2020 goals to select relevant metrics for the state. For strengthening the dental care delivery system, strategies will be identified to create a sustainable and accessible oral health care delivery system. To assess the need of different communities, the proposal includes planning for the development of a statewide surveillance system. The data and information will be reported to the National Oral Health Surveillance System. Strategies may include developing a prevention-focused, school-based dental care delivery system for underserved and vulnerable children including children with developmental disability.