Sunday, February 5, 2023
2/5/2023
Project Goal: Increase oral health workforce activities that improve the oral health of Arizona children by implementing an innovative Cavity Free AZ Online Program. Project Summary: The purpose of this four-year grant proposal is to implement an innovative workforce development and prevention program in Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSAs). The program will develop and implement oral health workforce activities to address the needs of this population through community-based prevention services. The population intended to be served by the grant activities includes school-aged children in DHPSAs in Arizona. The innovative Cavity Free AZ Program will implement new services and delivery methods and expand community-based prevention services in DHPSAs. The Dental HPSA Workforce Enhancement Program will conduct a statewide shortage assessment and provide NEW innovative activities to enhance dental workforce tracking and recruitment. The proposed program relates to the following allowable HRSA grant activities: • No. 2 Dental recruitment and retention efforts • No. 7 Continuing dental education, including distance-based education • No. 9 Community-based prevention services such as … dental sealant programs • No. 12 Augmentation of a State dental office to coordinate oral health and access issues in the State • No. 13-B Activities designed to assess and/or address the impact of COVID-19. Objectives: 1. Cavity Free AZ Program Development: By December 2023, ADHS, in collaboration with external partne rs will have developed the Cavity Free AZ Program. 2. Cavity Free AZ Program Implementation: By December 2024, ADHS, in collaboration with external partners will have implemented Cavity Free AZ Program 3. Workforce Tracking: By August 2026, the Office of Oral Health will have successfully updated Dental HPSA designations and established a sustainable method to adequately track and assess the oral health workforce, develop system to track dental therapists in Arizona and conduct 10 promotional presentations at dental schools in Arizona 4. Program Evaluation: By August 2026, the Office of Oral Health will have completed a program evaluation. Program evaluation activities, tasks, and intended outcomes are detailed in the work plan.
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).
