June 26, 2002
Contact: CDC, Office of Communication
(770) 488–5301

Fact Sheet

Seven states have been awarded $1.4 million through cooperative agreements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to strengthen their oral health programs. The following projects are planned:

• Alaska received $175, 868 to establish an oral health program within the state health department's Maternal, Child and Family Health section, including hiring a full-time state dental director and other staff. The state plans to develop an oral health work group to guide development of a state oral health surveillance system, improve reporting on community water fluoridation, and initiate education for policymakers on oral health issues.
  
  
• Colorado received $160,458 to develop a statewide oral health surveillance system to collect and monitor data about each of the Healthy People 2010 oral health objectives for the nation, as well as required information related to maternal and child health, and also will implement a preventive oral health program targeting high-risk children and adults. Three staff members, including an epidemiologist and dental hygienist will be hired.
  
  
• North Dakota received $118, 557 to develop and implement a state oral health surveillance system; assist communities to develop and implement oral health improvement plans aimed at increasing access to care; and conduct health communications activities to inform the public and policymakers to increase awareness of the importance of oral health. An epidemiologist and health educator will be hired.
  
  
• Oregon received $275,000 to establish a state oral health surveillance system; conduct a state-wide oral health needs assessment in the first and last years of the project; promote community water fluoridation through health communications activities and technical assistance to community coalitions; establish a state oral health advisory committee; and convene a state oral health summit. Oregon also is receiving funds to implement school dental sealant programs.
  
  
• Rhode Island received $196, 982 to implement a state surveillance system to monitor oral disease and identify disparities; develop a state oral health improvement plan; plan and implement prevention programs; conduct public education activities to increase awareness about state oral health needs; and expand the staff to include a full-time state dental director.
  
  
• South Carolina received $351,758 to conduct a needs assessment to determine the extent of oral disease and identify any oral health disparities; develop a state oral health surveillance system; and develop targeted prevention programs and specific interventions in schools and communities that involve public-private partnerships. The state also will hire a fluoridation coordinator to monitor and report fluoridation and offer mini-grants to communities for equipment.
  
  
• Texas received $149, 638 to strengthen its capacity to monitor trends in the oral diseases; improve oral health prevention education in schools; and evaluate program efforts. Programs will be developed to target schools and communities where oral health disparities exist.
  
  

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