Direct Programs for the Underserved
The CDA Foundation Direct Programs For the Underserved address the harsh realty of inadequate oral health care for vulnerable people through various programs as well as educational opportunities including:
| POHAP | Dental Professionals Against Violence |
| GOHAP | Mobile Dental Services |
| First Smiles | Promotoras |
| Fluoridation |
POHAP
The Pediatric Oral Health Access Program provides a sustainable increase in access to dental care by providing general dentists with increased skills and comfort level needed to treat young children, including children with special health care needs. The program enlists general dentists who practice in underserved areas, treat uninsured patients and/or currently accept publicly-funded dental insurance programs. Prior to completing the intensive training course, participating dentists agree to routinely accept young children, including children with special needs, as well as provide free restorative treatment to a specified number of underserved children who have no private or public insurance and no other ability to pay. POHAP was created in 2002 by the CDA Foundation and the Los Angeles Oral Health Foundation, with support from the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry. In Los Angeles alone, through the LAPOHAP, more than 6600 children, age five or younger, and 692 special needs children have been treated by the program participants.
Contribute to POHAP.
GOHAP
The Geriatric Oral Heal Access Program. The CDA Foundation has embarked on a pilot project to develop solutions to complex issues confronting seniors in long-term care facilities. GOHAP has been designed to develop and test an innovative model of oral health care, quantify the effects of a prescribed oral health regimen within a long-term care institution and compile data to further advocate on the behalf of seniors for better access to oral health care.
Contribute to GOHAP.
First Smiles
The First Smiles Education and Training Project is the result of a four year, $7 million grant from First 5 California awarded to the CDA Foundation and the Dental Health Foundation. The goal of the project is to significantly reduce the incidence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) in children under five years old and those with special health care needs. The First Smiles project has successfully provided training around the state to dental and medical teams, as well as early childhood educators, on the early detection and prevention of ECC. In addition, the project has designed an online clearinghouse to serve as a resource for the three audiences, and includes the latest science and research on ECC prevention, risk assessment forms and guidelines for providing anticipatory guidance to parents and caregivers. To date, more than 7,200 dental professionals and 3,000 medical professionals have attended a First Smiles training. These trainings are held at various venues throughout the state.
Contribute to First Smiles.
Fluoridation
Using funds provided by the California Endowment, the CDA Foundation in partnership with the CDA; California Department of Health Services, the Dental Health Foundation and the California Fluoridation Task Force, is in the process of developing a statewide fluoridation program with the goal of 75% of the population to be receiving fluoridated water by the year 2010. The CDA Foundation strongly supports the fluoridation of community drinking water sources and has successfully awarded funds for city fluoridation to several cities and water districts serving more 19 million people. Additional projects with the Southern California Metropolitan Water District, and the City of Watsonville, and the city of San Diego will increase the number of people receiving fluoridation from the current 35% to nearly 60%. Even with that success, more work is needed to reach the Healthy People 2010 goal of 75%. For more information on the benefits of water fluoridation or the Fluoridation Workgroup, contact Jon Roth.
Contribute to the Fluoridation Program.
Dental Professionals Against Violence
The goal of DPAV is to encourage and support dental professionals in a practical response to family violence, the California Dental Association Foundation, Blue Shield of California and its Foundation, and Dental Benefit Providers joined forces to create Dental Professionals Against Violence. Our training program and print materials are designed to assist dental professionals and their teams to recognize and respond to child abuse/neglect, domestic/intimate partner violence, and elder abuse/neglect.
Contribute to the DPAV Program.
Mobile Dental Services
Mobile dentistry has tremendously affected the people that have been reached by the services. The CDA Foundation is leading an effort to address the long-term support of such important services. Expansion incorporates a broad range of services including vans, portable equipment and tele-dentistry that may be enhanced through the expanded use of auxiliary dental health professionals and the broader incorporation of technology. The future of mobile dentistry is dependant on addressing the strategic priorities identified by providers, conducting research and collecting data on the efficacy and impact of such services, and proactively preparing for technological advances. To do so will require collaboration between providers and funds to create a long-term strategic plan for the future of mobile dentistry in California.
Contribute to the Mobile Dental Services Program.
Promotoras
This pilot project provides lay community health educators in Latino populations – known as promotoras – the necessary resources to deliver oral health messages to families in their local communities. The training is based on the early childhood educator curriculum developed for the First 5 First Smiles project, and includes presentations for families and activities for children. The pilot program was conducted in San Diego’s north county including Escondido, Carlsbad and Vista, and measured changes in behavior with regard to oral health as well as monitored increases in the utilization of dental services available.
Contribute to the Promotoras Program.