CA Dental Support Center - The California Dental Support Center (CADSC), housed at the California Rural Indian Health Board (CRIHB), is applying for the Indian Health Service (IHS) Dental Preventive and Clinical Support Centers Grant for the grant period December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2030. California has 109 federally recognized Tribes, with most located in remote and rural areas, which poses challenges for accessing care and addressing oral health disparities for Tribal communities. There are 34 Tribal/Urban Indian dental clinics in California that operate 67 dental clinic sites, which serve the largest American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population in the United States. The CADSC is requesting $440,000 per year for a grant period of five years to increase knowledge and preventive care and to reduce dental diseases for Tribal communities across California. These funds will provide training, technical assistance, education, and support to California Tribal/Urban Indian dental professionals and Tribal Head Starts/Early Head Starts/Childcare centers, and will support community and clinic-based oral health initiatives targeting AI/AN pregnant women, children, youth, and adults throughout California. Over the last fifteen years, the CADSC has successfully established and strengthened a partnership with the 34 Tribal/Urban Indian dental clinics in California. The CADSC has served as the go-to organization supporting education for dental clinical staff by providing state-mandated training courses, hands-on courses, and facilitating the annual Continuing Dental Education Conference to over 400 dentists, registered dental hygienists, registered dental assistants, dental assistants, and front office staff in California. As a result, California dental health professionals can expand and increase their knowledge base and be better prepared to address the AI/AN community's current and emerging oral health needs. The CADSC also supports Tribal/Urban Indian dental clinics in implementing oral disease prevention initiatives in both clinic-based and community-based settings. These initiatives, based upon well-established prevention guidelines, aim to reduce the prevalence of early childhood caries and oral diseases among the Tribal population. Additionally, the CADSC provides ongoing assistance for all 34 Tribal/Urban Indian dental clinics to improve GPRA measures. With new funding, the CADSC aims to support clinics in further improving GPRA measures, and to participate in the Basic Screening Survey (BSS). To maintain current knowledge within CADSC staff and consultant, the CADSC commits to attending regional and national meetings and conferences. The CADSC will serve as a hub of communication and support for California’s Tribal and Urban Indian clinics, elevating knowledge and health outcomes. This current grant cycle of funding will allow the California DSC to continue providing support and resources to Tribal/Urban Indian dental clinics, which will help improve the oral health needs of the AI/AN population in California. Dental health professionals will also enhance their skills while implementing and improving oral health clinics and community-based initiatives.
