Thursday, April 3, 2025
4/3/2025
North Dakota State Promotion of Strategies to Advance Oral Health - Oral health surveillance data indicates that significant disparities exist among specific population groups and geographic areas in North Dakota. Needs assessment data indicates that low-income individuals, minorities, children with special health care needs, older adults and individuals in rural areas experienced higher rates of oral disease. Access to oral health services for these populations is an ongoing concern and challenge. The purpose and outcome of the oral health program is to maintain a strong program that will facilitate the state’s ability to carry out the core functions of public health to improve oral health across the lifespan. The oral health program will continue to build capacity to sustain efforts in preventing and reducing oral disease among the state’s most vulnerable and underserved populations. This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement proposal focuses on five core strategies around oral health promotion and disease prevention: 1) access to optimally fluoridated water and receipt of Evidence-based Preventive Dental Services, 2) adherence to Infection Prevention and Control recommendations, 3) access to data to build evidence for public health practice, 4) access to care and untreated decay, and 5) foundational information supporting integrated medical and dental services for persons with diabetes. The best practice environmental approaches for prevention of tooth decay are school-based dental sealant programs and community water fluoridation. Promotion of these two programs will be implemented statewide and will result in measurable population-level health impact and economic savings. The North Dakota Oral Health Program will enhance oral health surveillance efforts through the collection, dissemination, and use of data to inform, prioritize, and evaluate program outcomes and population health. Oral health surveillance efforts will address the barriers to increase access to oral health. Oral health educational materials will focus on the importance and benefits of the strategies listed above. The North Dakota Oral Health Program will continue to provide leadership to channel change for oral health improvement and develop and coordinate partnerships to leverage resources. Evaluation findings will establish key recommendations for partners on program impact and sustainability.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).