Maryland Dental Action Coalition Inc

Medicaid Adult Dental Collaborative - The Maryland Dental Action Coalition (MDAC) formed the Medicaid Adult Dental Collaborative, comprised of representatives from social service agencies, FQHCs, county and state governments, non-profit organizations, associations, and academic research and educational institutions, to help ensure the success of the Maryland Medicaid Adult Dental Pilot Program that provides preventative, diagnostic, restorative dental services, as well as extractions, to approximately 35,000 Maryland adults who are dual eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. The purpose of the MDAC Collaborative is to support implementation of the pilot by (1) addressing provider engagement; (2) removing barriers to provider participation; (3) ensuring eligible adults are aware of their benefit and able to access a provider; and (4) helping ensure that services fit their oral health needs.

Facilitating State Networks - Supports MDACs work to improve the public perception of oral health in Maryland and provide Maryland families and individuals of all ages, races and socio-economic backgrounds with necessary resources and referrals to access oral health care, manage their health and connect with community resources. Funds also support MDAC awareness, education, and advocacy efforts to support the integration of oral health within overall health, and the inclusion of an adult dental benefit in Medicaid and Medicare.

HealthEfficient a nonprofit organization that supports Community Health Centers and other safety net providers in improving clinical and operational performance through comprehensive data - was awarded a grant to develop a network and implement the Transforming Oral Health for Families (TOHF) Project. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate a promising model of Family-Centered Team-Based Primary Oral Health Care for children 0-40 months, their parents/caregivers, and pregnant women at Community Health Centers (CHCs) in four states/jurisdictions including the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and New York. Goals of the project are to: (1) increase oral health competencies for all relevant CHC providers serving the target populations; (2) increase CHC capacity for oral health case management and interprofessional collaboration to better address oral health risk factors and needs of the target population; and (3) increase the proportion of children 0-40 months who have access to

Ava Roberts Pediatric Dental Symposium - MDAC will manage the arrangements and logistics support for implementation of the Annual Ava Roberts Pediatric Dental Continuing Education Symposium. The event provides the oral health community an opportunity to learn and engage in oral health topics such as infection control, prevention of abuse and neglect through dental awareness, and challenges in pediatric dentistry. It will also provide MDAC an additional opportunity to interact with its members and stakeholders and solicit feedback on its work, including the Maryland Oral Health Plan. An average of 120 oral health professionals register for the event.

Pathways to Bright Futures Program. The Pathways to Bright Futures (PBF) program connects youth living in Health Professional Shortage Areas (Dental HPSAs) with pathways to the dental professions. Working with an expert advisory committee, the Maryland Department of Health/Office of Oral Health (MDH/OOH) offers presentations to youth in Dental HPSAs from dental professionals, creates experiential learning opportunities, provides academic awards ($2,000 per award) annually to six aspiring dental professionals, and holds seminars and externships. The Maryland Dental Action Coalition (MDAC) is a member of the programs Advisory Committee and takes the lead in the management of the PBF Academic Award program (development of award criteria, eligibility, application, outreach, selection, and planning associated with PBF ceremony). The number of academic awards available to students pursuing a career in the dental profession has increased to ten awards ($2,000 per award).

DHMD SGA - University of Maryland Baltimore National Museum of Dentistry Oral Health Literacy, Education, and Pathways to Dental Professions. The Maryland Dental Action Coalition (MDAC) is collaborating with the University of Maryland Baltimore on a project to support field trip opportunities for an estimated 625 youth primarily from Baltimore City and other underserved areas to visit the National Museum of Dentistry (NMD) in Baltimore. As part of the project, staff will coordinate with schools and organizations to bring students to the Museum and will provide an educational program to the groups. The visits will increase awareness of important oral health issues, promote oral health literacy, and educate students from diverse backgrounds on viable pathways to joining the dental profession.

The Maryland Oral Health Plan (MOHP) is designed to serve as a guide for improving the oral health and overall health of all Marylanders, regardless of where they live or what their special circumstances might be. The plan is a living document that takes a three-pronged approach, focusing on 1) access to oral health care; 2) oral disease and injury prevention; and 3) oral health literacy and education. The goals, objectives, and recommendations in each priority area are grounded in evidence and best practice and are intentionally non-prescriptive, to enable the development of innovative implementation strategies to best meet the needs of Marylands unique regions and communities. The updated plan builds on progress and achievements from the current plan and serves as a framework to guide collective statewide efforts.