A National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health - A Directory of Selected DHHS Initiatives

Updated as of October 25, 2004

Background and Purposes

An inventory of Federal initiatives related to various components of A National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health has been developed.  The purposes of this Federal Inventory are: 1) to aid in communicating and partnering across agencies and with the public and with non-federal agencies to identify opportunities for planning at the Federal level; 2) to identify gaps and opportunities at the federal level for planning purposes; 3) to provide non-federal partners with information on selected programs and contacts.  The inventory includes projects and programs supported by the following agencies in the Department of Health and Human Services:  Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Indian Health Service (IHS); and National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), NIH.  We plan to update this list periodically and to add projects from other agencies in the future.

The point of contact for all activities related to the Federal Directory is Dr. James Lipton.  Please contact him at (301) 594-4866 or James_Lipton@nih.gov about any questions related to the inventory in general.

Procedure

Representatives from selected Agencies that had programs with immediate relevance to A National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health were requested to provide highlights of their programs using a two-part inventory form.  Information provided in Part I included the title and a brief description of the initiative; contact person, telephone number and e-mail address; collaborating organizations; status of activity (on-going or under development); start date and end date.  In part II, an indication was provided by the agency representative for the specific coded component of the National Call to Action.  Click on the highlighted phrase to see the entire set of codes. 

Results

The Federal Initiatives Directory represents a summary of the 66 projects submitted by the DHHS agencies.  For each, you will find the sponsoring agency (column 1), initiative ID number (column 2), Part I - title of the initiative (column 3), Part II - relevant Call to Action codes addressed by the project (columns 4 – 19), with a “1” indicating that initiative addressed the specific code, and federal or non-federal organizations collaborating in the initiative (column 20).  At the bottom of the table is listed the total number of initiatives addressing each code and the percent of total initiatives that address the particular code. 

Click on any Agency to access its webpage.

Click on Part I for a brief description of the project.

Click on the following Abbreviation list for acronyms of Collaborating Organizations and HRSA components:  Abbreviation List

Click on any highlighted organization in the Abbreviation List to access its webpage.

A NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION TO PROMOTE ORAL HEALTH

Federal Inventory of Initiatives, FY 2004: AHRQ

1) Health Services Research Dissertation.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announces its continued interest in supporting the health services dissertation research small grant program. This program supports research undertaken as part of an academic program to qualify for a doctorate. The AHRQ dissertation award R36 supports dissertation research costs of students in accredited research doctoral programs in the United States (including Puerto Rico, and other U.S. Territories or possessions). The dissertation will focus on areas relevant to health services research, with emphasis placed on methodological and research topics that address the mission of AHRQ. The total direct costs for applications submitted under this PA must not exceed $30,000 for the entire project period, which is expected to range from a minimum of 9 months to a maximum of 17 months.  AHRQ will return without review any application that exceeds this amount.  Contact: Greta Drott, 301-427-1530, Training@ahrq.gov

2) Practice-Based Research Networks And The Translation Of Research Into Practice.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) seek research proposals from new or established primary care practice-based research networks (PBRNs) to (1) evaluate scientifically-based strategies for translating evidence into sustainable improvements in clinical practice and outcomes, and/or (2) develop, improve, and/or validate research dissemination methods applicable to cancer control in primary care practice. A PBRN is defined as a group of ambulatory practices devoted principally to the primary care of patients, affiliated with each other in order to investigate questions related to community-based practice.  This definition includes a sense of ongoing commitment to the research endeavor, and an organizational structure that transcends a single study.  Contact: Dr. David Lanier, 301-427-1567, Dlanier@ahrq.gov

3) Small Research Grant Program.

AHRQ announces a program of small research grants designed to provide support for new investigators or researchers new to health care services issues and encourage preliminary, exploratory, or innovative research in new or previously unexamined areas.  Contact: Kelly Morgan, 301-594-1782, Kmorgan@ahrq.gov

4) Understanding And Promoting Health Literacy (R01).

The participating Institutes, Centers and Offices of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) invite investigators to submit R01 research grant applications on health literacy. The goal of this Program Announcement is to increase scientific understanding of the nature of health literacy and its relationship to healthy behaviors, illness prevention and treatment, chronic disease management, health disparities, risk assessment of environmental factors, and health outcomes including mental and oral health. Increased scientific knowledge of interventions that can strengthen health literacy and improve the positive health impacts of communications between healthcare and public health professionals (including dentists, healthcare delivery organizations, and public health entities), and consumer or patient audiences that vary in health literacy, is needed. Such knowledge will help enable healthcare and public health systems serve individuals and populations more effectively, and employ strategies that reduce health disparities in the population.  Contact: Dr. Rosaly Correa-de-Araujo, 301-427-1550, rcorrea@ahrq.gov

5) Understanding And Promoting Health Literacy (R03 grants).

The participating Institutes, Centers and Offices of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) invite investigators to submit R03 research grant applications on health literacy. The goal of this Program Announcement is to increase scientific understanding of the nature of health literacy and its relationship to healthy behaviors, illness prevention and treatment, chronic disease management, health disparities, risk assessment of environmental factors, and health outcomes including mental and oral health.  Increased scientific knowledge of interventions that can strengthen health literacy and improve the positive health impacts of communications between healthcare and public health professionals (including dentists, healthcare delivery organizations, and public health entities), and consumer or patient audiences that vary in health literacy, is needed. Such knowledge will help enable healthcare and public health systems serve individuals and populations more effectively and employ strategies that reduce health disparities in the population. Contact: Dr. Rosaly Correa-de-Araujo, 301-427-1550, rcorrea@ahrq.gov

Federal Inventory of Initiatives, FY 2004: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

6) Assessment of State Cancer Registries for Oral Cancer Data.

CDC is providing support for two state cancer registries (South Carolina and West Virginia) to assess registry data on oral and pharyngeal cancer.  The objectives are to evaluate the completeness, quality and timeliness of their oral and pharyngeal cancer data; to identify needs for improvement in data collection, validity and reliability; and to apply methods for such improvements. The project will advance the capacity of the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) to serve as high quality resources for accurate descriptions of the burden of oral and pharyngeal cancer, provide insight into disparities in incidence and prognosis, and guide selection of oral cancer prevention and control strategies.  Contact: Ms. Claudia Vousden.  (770) 488-5509, cvousden@cdc.gov

7) ASTDD Best Practices Project.

ASTDD has developed and implemented a Best Practices component on its Web site (www.astdd.org/?template=bp_home.html&shell=best) that presents successful state practices for developing state-of-the-art oral health programs.  The aim of this project is to help states achieve Healthy People 2010 objectives and build infrastructure capacity at both state and local levels.  Materials available include Best Practice Approach Reports that describe dental public health strategies, summarize supporting evidence (research, expert opinions, field lessons, and theoretical rationale), and use current practices to illustrate successful implementation methods. The Web site also has descriptive summaries of dental public health activities that can be searched by topic and state. This is being funded through a CDC Cooperative Agreement.  Contact: Dr. Barbara Gooch.  (770) 488-6068, bgooch@cdc.gov

8) CDC Prevention Research Center Oral Health Projects.

Through a network of CDC Prevention Research Centers, CDC is providing support for projects that examine the effectiveness of innovative strategies to promote oral health in predominantly poor, ethnically diverse communities. The approaches for these projects influence environments and behaviors at multiple levels and consist of multiple components and targets of change.  This research effort include funding through an oral health small grants project; in Fall 2003 a "Request for Proposals" was released for a second round of small grants encouraging community-based research projects that partner with state and/or local programs. Information about the CDC Prevention Research Centers is available at www.cdc.gov/prc/.  Contact: Dr. Barbara Gooch.  (770) 488-6068, bgooch@cdc.gov

9) Educating Legislators through NCSL.

State legislators are provided with "Quick Facts" on state trends in oral disease and effective oral health promotion, disease prevention strategies such as community water fluoridation and school-based/-linked dental sealant programs.  Issue briefs and articles on effective prevention strategies and ways to promote oral health are developed and placed in NCSL publications.  These activities are funded through a CDC cooperative agreement.  Contact: Ms. Linda Orgain.  (770) 488-5301, lorgain@cdc.gov

10) Health Education Materials for Parents of Young Children.

These health education materials, available in both English and Spanish, were developed to educate parents of children under age six years on appropriate use of fluoride products (e.g., fluoride toothpaste, supplements, varnishes) among young children.  Focus groups with parents were used to test messages and visual presentation. Materials produced include parent tip sheets and quizzes and a poster for use in clinical and other settings. These materials can be viewed at www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/factsheets/brushup.htm.  This initiative was developed to promote key recommendations from the 2001 MMWR, “Recommendations for Using Fluoride to Prevent and Control Dental Caries in the United States.”  Contact: Ms. Claudia Vousden.  (770)488-5509, cvousden@cdc.gov

11) Management of Dental Decay for Young Children Enrolled in Medicaid and SCHIP.

CCDC, in partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is supporting projects in North Carolina and California that are examining changes in oral health and dental care costs resulting from early case identification and innovative management of oral conditions among young children enrolled in Medicaid and SCHIP.  CDC is contributing funding for one of these projects, managed by the North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance, which is now in its fourth and final year.  This project trains physicians and physician extenders (i.e., physician assistants, nurse practitioners) to furnish a package of preventive dental services (oral screening, fluoride varnish application, and counseling of caregivers) in order to reduce dental decay in young children.  Services are covered for children from birth to three years of age, every six months until the third birthday.  Three methods of training primary care providers are being tested in 118 primarily high-volume medical practices in North Carolina using a prospective, randomized study design.  Preliminary results support a high level of provider adoption (greater than 70%) in all three intervention groups.  In 2002, about 40,000 visits to medical offices occurred statewide in which preventive dental services were provided for Medicaid-enrolled infants and toddlers.  Contact: Dr. Barbara Gooch.  (770) 488-6068, bgooch@cdc.gov

12) My Water's Fluoride and Oral Health Maps.

My Water's Fluoride (http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/Index.asp) and Oral Health Maps (http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/gis/doh/) are two interactive Web features that are available on the CDC Oral Health Web site. These public use tools allow consumers and health professionals in participating states to learn the fluoridation status of individual water systems. The sites provide information on more than 56,000 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered public water systems, including the number of people served and the target fluoridation level.  Oral Health Maps is a geographic information system (GIS) application that currently provides state and county profiles with selected demographic and water fluoridation information. There are plans to expand Oral Health Maps to include other oral health indicators.  Contact: Dr. Scott Presson.  (770) 488-6078, spresson@cdc.gov

13) National Oral Health Conference.

This national meeting is the premier annual meeting for dental public health.  The conference focuses on exchanging scientific and public health information on oral health, provides a forum for sharing innovative and successful oral health programs in a variety of settings, and promotes discussion of strategies for improving oral health through community, state, national and foundation initiatives. The meeting attracts approximately 500 individuals who are engaged in the research, education, and service components of dental public health.  Contact: Dr. Scott Presson.  (770) 488-6078, spresson@cdc.gov

14) National Oral Health Surveillance System (NOHSS).

The Internet-based National Oral Health Surveillance System (NOHSS) is designed to help public health programs monitor the burden of oral disease, use of the oral health care delivery system, and the status of community water fluoridation on both a state and national level.  It includes data from 50 states and 5 data sources -- the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Systrem (BRFSS), the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), and the Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS) in addition to the Synopses of State and Territorial Dental Programs.  NOHSS is available at www.cdc.gov/nohss/.  Contact: Dr. Valerie Robison.  (770) 488-2410, vrobison@cdc.gov

15) State Oral Health Cooperative Agreement Program.

Through a cooperative agreement program, CDC is providing approximately $2.7 million per year over five years to 12 states and the Republic of Palau to strengthen their oral health programs and reduce inequalities in the oral health of residents.  The 12 states receiving these awards are Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas.  In addition to core awards, four states are receiving additional funding to support development/enhancement of community water fluoridation and school-based/-linked dental sealant programs.  The states/territory are required to develop a state oral health coalition and develop a state oral health plan.  States also are required to evaluate their programs to add to the evidence base for model state programs.  In addition, a cross-site evaluation of the program is being conducted.  Contact: Dr. Scott Presson.  (770) 488-6078, spresson@cdc.gov

16) Surveillance Methods for Periodontal Infections.

CDC has convened a Work Group to determine surveillance methods for periodontal disease.  The Work Group will identify reliable and valid self-reported measures for periodontal infections, including identifying possible sentinel sites, events, providers and payers that could be used to monitor these infections.  Contact: Dr. Paul Eke.  (770) 488-6092, peke@cdc.gov

17) Technical Assistance and Support to Build Oral Health Coalitions.

CDC provides support through a cooperative agreement to Oral Health America (OHA) to develop infrastructure initiatives related to oral disease prevention and health promotion.  Activities include building or strengthening state and local oral health coalitions.  OHA has provided a conference on this issue for states, provided technical assistance, and organized a new initiative, "Smiles Across America," with the first event held in Saint Louis, Missouri.  Information on OHA can be found at www.oralhealthamerica.org.  Contact: Dr. Scott Presson.  (770) 488-6078, spresson@cdc.gov

Federal Inventory of Initiatives, FY 2004: Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

18) FDA’s Regulatory Role in Oral Health.

Federal Inventory of Initiatives, FY 2004: HRSA – BHP, BPHC, AIDS/HIV

19) Primary Care in Oral Health Cooperative Agreements

In 2001, the HRSA Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Medicine and Dentistry established a cooperative agreement to increase access to oral health services for 0-5 year olds by training pediatric and family medicine residents to identify and address the oral health needs of children from birth through 5 years, the Primary Care and Oral Health: An Interdisciplinary Educational Approach to Meeting the Oral Health Needs of High Risk Young Children.  Contact – Dr. Raymond Lala.  (301) 443-1707, Rlala@hrsa.gov

20) Oral Health Service Expansion component of the Presidents Health Center Initiative

 HRSA’s BPHC has adopted three strategies to improve access to oral health services as part of the President’s Health Center Initiative.  First, all new health center access points must provide patients ready access to primary, preventive and supplemental health services, and that includes primary oral health care.  When we talk about primary oral health care, the range of services should include preventive care and education, emergency services, basic restorative services and periodontal services – all but the most specialized oral health care.  Second, existing health centers that currently offer some form of dental care must make plans to expand it.  Third, we intend to improve the quality of oral health care programs in the health center system by integrating oral health with other primary care services and assuring the continuing evaluation and improvement of oral health care programs.  Contact: Dr. Jay Anderson (301)-594-4295,  JANDERSON@HRSA.GOV)

21) AIDS Education and Training Center Grant Program.

Provides training to oral health and other health professionals on the proper treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS.  Contact: Brandy Airall.  (301) 443-2607, BAIRALL@HRSA.GOV)

22) Community-Based Dental Partnership Program

This grant program funds partnerships between institutions with accredited dental or dental hygiene education programs, and community-based dentists and dental programs.  The goals are to broaden access to oral health care, and train additional dental and dental hygiene providers in the management of oral health care for HIV positive populations, in community-based settings.  Contact: Dr. Barry Waterman.  (301) 443-1434, BWATERMAN@HRSA.GOV)

23) Ryan White Dental Reimbursement Program (DRP)

This grant program reimburses institutions with accredited dental and dental hygiene education programs for non-reimbursed costs of care they incurred in providing oral health care to HIV positive persons.  Contact: Dr. Barry Waterman.  (301) 443-1434, BWATERMAN@HRSA.GOV)

24) Ryan White Title I Grant Program to Eligible Metropolitan Areas

This grant program provides funding to Eligible Metropolitan Areas (EMAs) that are most severely affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Title I funding to EMAs includes formula and supplemental components, and Minority AIDS Initiative funds targeted for services to minority populations. Title I funds may be used to provide a continuum of care for persons living with HIV disease, including outpatient health and support services, and inpatient case management services that expedite discharge and prevent unnecessary hospitalization.    Contact: Doug Morgan.  (301) 443-6745, DMORGAN@hrsa.gov

25) Ryan White Title II Grant Program to States

This grant program provides funding to all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and five newly eligible U.S. Pacific Territories and Associated Jurisdictions. Title II also funds the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and grants to States for Emerging Communities—those reporting between 500 and 1,999 AIDS cases over  the most recent five years. Title II funds may be used to provide a variety of services, including ambulatory health care; home-based health care; insurance coverage; medications; support services; and HIV Care Consortia, which assess needs and contracts for services.  Contact: Doug Morgan.  (301) 443-6745, DMORGAN@hrsa.gov

26) Ryan White Title III Capacity Development Program

This grant program funds eligible entities in their efforts to strengthen their organizational infrastructure and enhance their capacity to develop, enhance or expand high quality HIV primary health care services in rural or urban unserved areas and communities of color.  Contact: Sylvia Trent-Adams. (301) 443-1377, STRENT-ADAMS@HRSA.GOV)

27) Ryan White Title III Early Intervention Services Program

This grant program funds comprehensive primary health care for individuals with HIV disease, by increasing the present capacity and capability of eligible ambulatory health service entities.  Contact: Ray Goldstine. (301) 443-0897, RGOLDSTINE@HRSA.GOV

28) Ryan White Title IV HIV Services for Women, Infants, Children, Youth, and Families

This grant program funds eligible entities to provide comprehensive health and social services for HIV positive women, infants, children, youth and their families, including broadening access to clinical trials and research.  Contact: Dr. Rafi Morales.  (301) 443-3650, JMORALES@HRSA.GOV)

Federal Inventory of Initiatives, FY 2004: HRSA – MCHB

29) Ad Hoc Committee on Periodontal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes for Building Maternal and Child Oral Health Knowledge and Enhancing Expertise in States and Communities.

The MCHB, in partnership with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality will convene and facilitate a committee of perinatal and oral health experts to plan a Forum that will examine potential translation of research into policy and programs on periodontal disease and pregnancy outcomes. This project is one component of a task order issued by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to build MCH Oral Health knowledge and enhance expertise in States and communities.  Activities include: 1) overview of the current science regarding the relationship between periodontal disease and pregnancy outcomes; 2) review of existing public and private efforts to promote the oral health of pregnant women; 3) development of goals and objectives for a Research into Policy and Programs (RIPP) Forum on Periodontal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes (September 2004); and 5) agenda design for goals and objectives of the Forum in keeping with recommendations stemming from the meeting.  Contact: Beth Zimmerman.  (202) 828-5100, bzimmerman@hsrnet.com

30) Ad Hoc Committee on the Oral Health of Children with Special Health Care Needs (Project 4) of Building Maternal and Child Oral Health Knowledge and Enhancing Expertise in States and Communities.

This project is one component of a task order issued by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to build MCH Oral Health knowledge and enhance expertise in States and communities.  This project includes the following activities; 1) the convening of a panel of experts to assess the oral health needs of CSHCN; 2) the development of recommendations for MCHB to increase the visibility of CSHCN oral health through MCHB conferences, grant solicitations, training opportunities, policies and practice; 3) the development of best practice models to improve access to and the provision of high quality, affordable oral health care to CSHCN; and 4) to provide expertise on CSHCN to all activities included in this task order.  Contact: Beth Zimmerman.  (202) 828-5100, bzimmerman@hsrnet.com

31) Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors Comunication Network.

ASTDD seeks and maintains liaison activities with over 20 national organizations and federal agencies; members serve on committees, boards and task forces of other organizations and vice versa; maintains a listserv and website and publishes an online newsletter and other documents; plans, conducts and evaluates an annual National Oral Health Conference; conducts teleconferences and meetings as needed.  Contact: Beverly Isman.  (530) 758-1456, baisman@pacbell.net

32) Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, Dental Public Health Workforce and Leadership Development.

Develop, implement and evaluate an orientation and mentoring program for State dental directors; convene and use an advisory committee and a consultant coordinator; develop a leadership self-assessment instrument and use with state dental directors to match their needs with continuing education and leadership opportunities; design, conduct and evaluate skill-building workshops around public health topics; provide travel stipends for professional development and networking; convene a national workshop to create an action plan that will enhance the dental public health workforce and infrastructure.  Contact: Beverly Isman.  (530) 758-1456, baisman@pacbell.net

33)  Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, Evaluation and Technical Assistance for Oral Health Programs.

Create, implement and evaluate various types of technical assistance and support to oral health programs after assessing their needs: guidelines for state/territorial and local oral health programs; online manuals on safety net dental clinics and mobile-portable dental care systems; dental summits and Head Start oral health forums; tip sheets and fact sheets; telephone and onsite assistance with oral health assessment and oral health surveillance; presenations at meetings.  Contact: Beverly Isman.  (530) 758-1456, baisman@pacbell.net

34)  Convene Regional Oral Health Learning Institutes (Project 2) of Building Maternal and Child Oral Health Knowledge and Enhancing Expertise in States and Communities. 

This project is one component of a task order issued by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to build MCH Oral Health knowledge and enhance expertise in States and communities.  This project includes the following activities; 1) the convening of a panel of oral health experts to review current MCH focused oral health training materials and opportunities; 2) a systematic assessment of current oral health learning opportunities as well as training needs identified through surveys of dental public health providers 3) the prioritization of skills needing enhancement and the identification of the best methodology for providing training in these areas; 4) the planning and implementation of four Oral Health Learning Institutes for approximately 40 participants each; 4) the development of Web-based on-line curricula as appropriate.  Contact: Beth Zimmerman.  (202) 828-5100, bzimmerman@hsrnet.com

35)  Head Start and Oral Health Partnership Project.

The Head Start Oral Health Partnership Project is an activity under the Inter-Agency Agreement between Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the Head Start Bureau and  includes the planning and facilitation of forums to: 1) assess Head Start oral health program needs, 2) collaboratively develop strategic plans to meet those needs, and 3) consider the development of materials, partnerships and programs to implement these plans. The Oral Health Strategic Plans resulting from these forums outline strategies for improving oral health access, prevention and education activities between Head Start programs and a variety of regional, State and community-based stakeholders.  Contact: Beth Zimmerman.  (202) 828-5100, bzimmerman@hsrnet.com

36)  Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program Grants.

The intent of the Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program is to support the development of family centered, community-based initiatives which serve to : 1) Plan and implement innovative and cost effective approaches for community defined preventive and developmental child health objectives; 2) Foster/promote cooperation among community organizations, individuals, agencies, businesses and families; 3) Involve pediatricians and other pediatric health professionals in community based service programs; and 4) Build community and statewide partnerships among professionals in health, education, social services, government, and business to achieve self sustaining programs to assure healthy children and families.  Contact: Jose Belardo.  (301) 443-0757, jbelardo@hrsa.gov

37)  Implement and expand the Intra-Agency Agreement Between the Maternal and Child Health and Head Start Bureaus of Building Maternal and Child Oral Health Knowledge and Enhancing Expertise in States and Communities.

This project is one component of a task order to build MCH Oral Health knowledge and enhance expertise in States and communities.  It supports collaborative activities for: 1) regional and professional organization forums to develop action plans; 2) resource and training organizations; 3) State Summits; 4) MCH Regional Expert T.A. to HSB Field Offices; and 5) inclusion of Head Start populations in MCHB current and future grant opportunities.    Contact: Beth Zimmerman.  (202) 828-5100, bzimmerman@hsrnet.com

38) Leadership Centers for Training in Pediatric Dentistry.

Programs are designed to train pediatric dental leaders.  The programs provides residents an MS degree in pediatric dentistry and an MPH degree.  Residence are trained to treat children with special health care needs, children with a high prevalence of dental disease, and other high risk and underserved populations including Medicaid/SCHIP eligible children.  Leadership, public health and policy development are critical elements of this program.  Programs have historically been successful in graduating leaders within dental faculty, the community and nation.  Contact: Nanette Pepper.  (301) 443-6445, npepper@hrsa.gov

39) National Maternal and Child Oral Health Policy Center.

The center will serve as a forum to convene experts to examine oral health access issues, and facilitate the development of programs and materials that increase access to preventive, early intervention and restorative dental services for children and their families.  Further, States will be assisted in assessing and evaluating implementation strategies that teach State Medicaid, State Children’s Insurance Program (SCHIP), and public and private entities interventions for increasing access to oral health services for the underserved in keeping with the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health and other Federal reports calling for increasing oral health access and working towards the elimination of health status disparities. Contact: Dr. James Crall.  (310) 206-3172, jcrall@dent.ucla.edu

40)  National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) Information Collection/Dissemination.

This project is for the purpose of identifying, collecting, and disseminating timely and relevant information and materials about maternal and child oral health programmatic issues to health professionals, program administrators, educators, policymakers, and others working in states and communities. Activities include: (1) Maintaining and enhancing the oral health materials library (print and electronic media) and promoting the availability of materials produced by agencies, associations, organizations, and foundations. (2) Maintaining and enhancing an oral health programs library and promoting the availability of state and local programs. (3) Maintaining and enhancing a Web site to provide online access to information and materials and applying Section 508 of the Americans with Disability Act and HRSA guidelines to improve accessibility.  Contact: Katrina Holt.  (202) 784-9551, kholt@georgetown.edu

41) National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Electronic ListServes/Communication.

Administering electronic list serves (forums) to facilitate communication among individuals across the country about problems and successes encountered in designing, operating, and evaluating oral health programs and services. Activities include: (1) Maintaining the Kids Oral Health moderated list to facilitate communication among federal, regional, state, and jurisdiction oral health officials and regional pediatric dental consultants. (2) Maintaining the Community Oral Health Programs list to facilitate communication among community-based oral health program personnel.  Contact: Katrina Holt.  (202 784-9551, kholt@georgetown.edu

42) National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Oral Health Technical Assistance.

This project offers information and materials on MCH oral health programmatic issues to health professionals, program administrators, educators, policymakers, and others working in States and communities. Activities include: (1) Providing tailored responses to requests for information. (2) Providing assistance to regional and state offices planning meetings (e.g., forums, summits). (3) Developing electronic and/or print materials, disseminating these to appropriately targeted groups, and promoting the availability of these materials to others. (4) Presenting and/or exhibiting at professional conferences to promote the availability of OHRC services.  Contact: Katrina Holt.  (202) 784-9551, kholt@georgetown.edu

43)  Partners in Program Planning for Adolescent Health (PIPPAH) Grants.

Promotes an adolescent health agenda among professionals in key disciplines likely to encounter adolescents and their families.  Dentistry, dietetics (nutrition), law, medicine, nursing, preventive medicine, school health and social work are currently represented.  The 21 critical adolescent health objectives of Healthy People 2010 serve as a framework for addressing selected adolescent health issues, which are approached from the perspective of positive youth development.  Contact: Audrey Yowell.  (301) 443-4292, ayowell@hrsa.gov

44) State Oral Health Collaborative Systems Grants.

The purpose of this grant program is to help stabilize State oral health program activity, better integrate oral Health into State MCH programs, address MCHB performance measures and to implement Surgeon General’s Call to Action as it affects women and children.  This grant program has been developed with the intention of supporting States’ efforts to develop, implement or otherwise strengthen State oral health collaborative strategies that increase access to oral health services for Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) eligible children, and other underserved children and their families.  Contact: Dr. Mark Nehring.  (301) 443-3449, mnehring@hrsa.gov

45) Title V MCH Block Grants to States Program.

Historically, Title V MCH Block Grants have been the genesis for most State oral public health programs in the country, and to this day continue to be the principal Federal program which funds State oral health programs.  This support provides the Nation with infrastructure at the State level to maintain population-based prevention programs and offers direct and enabling oral health services when necessary, supporting oral health infrastructure and stability to oral health programs.  The current oral health performance measure for State grantees is: Percent of third grade children who have one or more sealed permanent molar teeth.  Contact: Cassie Lauver.  (301) 443-2204, clauver@hrsa.gov

46)  Training and Technical Assistance to States and Communities (Project 3) of  Building Maternal and Child Oral Health Knowledge and Enhancing Expertise in States and Communities.

Federal Inventory of Initiatives, FY 2004: HRSA –  NHSC, OAT, ORHP

47)  NHSC Oral Health Summit, October 15-16, 2003

The goal of the Oral Health Summit was to bring together people of diverse backgrounds who provide – directly or indirectly – oral health care services and training to begin to refine the ways we can all contribute to actions that move us forward in reaching and meeting the oral health care needs of the underserved.  The Oral Health Summit was needed to develop strategies and action items to increase the numbers of oral health clinicians committed to serving the underserved in areas of greatest need throughout the country.  Contact: Michelle Corbin (301-594-4162); MCORBIN@HRSA.GOV)

48)  Grants for the Advancement of Telehealth, Distance Learning, or Informatics

These grants support the use of telecommunications and information technologies to share health related information, assist in providing clinical health care services, education for health professionals, health education for consumers, and public health and healthcare-related administrative services at a distance.  Contact: Juanita Koziol (301-443-4381; JKOZIOL@HRSA.GOV)

49) Alaska Dental CHA/P Program

A number of small projects administered through ORHP have been used to strengthen, develop and/or publicize the development of a Dental Community Health Aide/Practitioner program.  These include funds to a tribal health corporation for training, a portion of the funds awarded through the Denali Commission earmark for equipment and funds to the Alaska Center for Rural Health to prepare reports on the larger CHA/P program through which the dental component is being developed. 

50) Healthy Rural People 2010

Interactive searchable website and two-volume HP2010 companion documents in pdf and html file format.  Contains literature reviews and models for practice.  Oral health is chapter 8 in both volumes.  Interactive site for models is continually updated; communities can submit projects for inclusion. 

51) Rural Health Outreach Grant Program

Outreach grants allow rural partnership networks to address self-identified health or health-related service barriers in their own communities through three-year start-up grants.  In FY 2003 at least 11 of the 42 funded projects addressed dental health in whole or in part of their projects.

52) 3R-Net Dental Recruitment Strategies

Federal Inventory of Initiatives, FY 2004: Indian Health Service

53) Annual oral health promotion / disease prevention awards program

Annual awards program open on a competitive basis to all IHS federal, tribal, and urban  dental programs.  Fifteen locale initiatives were funded in fy04, to a maximum amount of $20,000 each.  Various locale programs address the preventive needs of local populations and the program needs of local dental programs.  Contact: Dr. Patrick Blahut.  (301) 443-4323, patrick.blahut@ihs.gov

54) Determination of the efficacy of water fluoridation in Indian Country.

Long-term research project to determine the reduction in dental decay associated with optimal water fluoridation in two South Dakota reservations.  Contact: Dr. Patrick Blahut.  (301) 443-4323, patrick.blahut@ihs.gov

55) Oral Health Clinical and Preventive Support Centers

Seven area or regional dental program support centers, each funded to meet the clinical and preventive needs of their IHS Area dental program.  Activities and services vary widely from one center to another.  From an emphasis on on-site program reviews addressing effectiveness and efficiency of clinical programs, to the production of health education materials, to training exspanded function dental assistants, to recreating the "Area HP / DP consultant" position, to other initiatives, the seven centers provide a myriad of services customized to meet the needs of their specific IHS Area dental programs.  Contact:  Dr. Patrick Blahut.  (301) 443-4323, patrick.blahut@ihs.gov

56) Visits to all U.S. dental schools

Visits to all U.S. dental schools for the primary purpose of recruiting IHS dentists.  DPH program is profiled, and discussion of DPH and IHS careers is initiated.  Contact:  Dr. Tim Lozon.  (301) 443-4323, tim.lozon@ihs.gov

57) Volunteer program open to dental and dental hygiene students

Various opportunities throughout IHS dental program for students wishing to volunteer services and visit IHS hospitals and clinics.  Contact:  Dr. Patrick Blahut, Dr. Tim Lozon.  (301) 443-4323, patrick.blahut@ihs.gov, tim.lozon@ihs.gov

58) Volunteer program to bring licensed dental practitioners to IHS

Volunteer program for licensed dentists wishing to provide services and visit IHS hospitals and clinics.  Contact: Dr. Tim Lozon.  (301) 443-4323, tim.lozon@ihs.gov

Federal Inventory of Initiatives, FY 2004: NIDCR, NIH

59) Centers for Research to Reduce Oral Health Disparities.

Five Centers for Research to Reduce Oral Health Disparities are the cornerstone of NIDCR's response to the glaring inequalities in oral health status that exist in vulnerable populations as elucidated in the NIDCR's Plan to Eliminate Craniofacial, Oral and Dental Health Disparities. Centers at Boston University, University of California at San Francisco, University of Michigan and University of Washington focus on research to prevent Early Childhood Caries  in populations e.g. low income, inner city African Americans and Asian/Pacific Islanders, U.S../Mexico border and other Hispanics, Native American/Alaska Natives including those of remote Alaskan villages. Studies seek to understand the complex array of biologic, behavioral, environmental and systems determinants of inequalities of oral health status and impact of oral health on quality of life. Several randomized clinical trials are being conducted to test practical and easily sustainable approaches to preventing ECC such as fluoride varnish, xylitol and chlorhexidine rinse. Other interventions include those that explore tailored educational interventions, dental fear reduction, and the role of non-dental health care professionals in oral disease prevention. The Center at New York University studies oral and pharyngeal cancer diagnosis and prevention in inner city populations and in Puerto Rico.  Involvement with communities is an essential component of the Centers. Research capacity building to increase both the cadre' of scientists from underrepresented groups and the numbers of scientist who choose to focus research on health disparities is a goal of each Center.    Contact: Dr. Ruth Nowjack-Raymer.  (301) 594-5394, ruth.nowjack-raymer@nih.gov

60) Data Resource Center

The Data Resource Center (DRC) is designed to serve as a resource for NIDCR staff and key partners of the Institute; to be used for policy assessment and development; program presentation, planning and evaluation; documentation of the rationale for scientific opportunities; and special project needs.   The 5 year contract was won by ROW Sciences, (now Northrup Grumman IT) and the DRC staff includes a librarian, epidemiologist, statistician, programmers, and technical information specialists.   

DRC Projects are available to the Public via CD and the DRC website at DRC.NIDCR.NIH.GOV.  Major products include: 1. Catalog of Surveys and Archive of Procedures Related to Oral Health; 2. The Annual Report of Oral Health Statistics including approximately 50 topics and approximately 200 pages bar graphs at the beginning and more complex tables at the end; 3. The NIDCR/CDC Data Query System (DQS) includes oral health indicators based on data collected in the NHANES III, MEPS, NHIS, and BRFSS;  4. Precalculated  data tables presenting tables from the annual report;

5. Survey Questions:  Oral health questions used in national surveys are available on the web and on CD-ROM; 6. Survey data and documentation from three National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) surveys are available on CD-ROM for single-use research purposes.  Contact: Dr. Jeffrey Hyman.  (301) 594-5489, jh393y@nih.gov

61) Healthy People 2010.

Oral health is one of  28 focus areas of Healthy People 2010, our national health objectives. HP2010 is part of the foundation of Oral Health in America A Report of the Surgeon General and A National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health. HP2010 is a framework upon which to determine where we are and where we need to go to decrease oral health disparities and increase the quality of life.  Contact: Dr. Alice Horowitz.  (301) 594-5391, alice.horowitz@nih.gov

62) National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse.

The National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse NOHIC) serves as a resource for practitioners, educators, patients, and the public seeking information about oral diseases and conditions, treatments, and prevention strategies related to special care in oral health.  Major functions of the clearinghouse include maintaining an extensive database of information on oral health, developing and distributing educational materials on oral health and special care, and responding to inquiries from patients, health professionals, and the public.  NOHIC is a program arm of the NIDCR Office of Communications and Health Education.  Contact: Patricia Sheridan.  (301) 594-7557, patricia.Sheridan@nih.gov

63) Oral Health Literacy.

HP2010, Oral Health in America A Report of the Surgeon General and A National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health all have identified health literacy as a determinate of health and a potential means of decreasing oral health disparities. Oral health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand baskic oral and craniofacial health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. The NIDCR has convened a Work Group to develop a white paper on oral health literacy that will include a research agenda. In addition, the NIDCR is participating is a cross-NIH program announcement (PA) on health literacy. The PA will be announced in 2004. The NIDCR is an active partner with the DHHS ODPHP  health literacy initiative.  Contact:  Dr. Alice Horowitz.  (301) 594-5391, alice.horowitz@nih.gov

64) Oral Health Toolkit

Contact:  Dr.. Alice Horowitz.  (301) 594-5391, alice.horowitz@nih.gov

65) Residency Program in Dental Public Health.

The NIDCR offers a 12-month full-time, or 12-month equivalent part-time, Residency Program in Dental Public Health. The Residency Program provides a formal training opportunity for dentists planning careers in dental public health, with an emphasis on oral and craniofacial, health-related epidemiologic research. The residency is intended to supplement prior public health education by providing students with an opportunity for tutorial and practical research training, supervised by experienced dental investigators. The Residency, while emphasizing research training and oral disease prevention and health promotion, also provides experience in other areas of dental public health, e.g., public health administration and management; organization and financing of dental care programs; resource development; and advocacy for, implementation, and evaluation of public health policy. Training faculty are drawn from the staff at NIDCR and elsewhere. Qualified applicants with a DDS or DMD degree or its equivalent and a prerequisite graduate degree in public health from accredited institutions are eligible to apply. After finishing residency program requirements, graduates receive a certificate of completion and are qualified educationally to apply for examination by the American Board of Dental Public Health for specialty certification.  Contact: Dr. Robert Selwitz.  (301) 594-3977, rs56g@nih.gov

66) State Models for Oral Cancer Prevention and Early Detection.

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