The Oral Health Foundation works with statewide, regional, and local community leaders to develop and implement solutions to address the disparities in oral health status among Massachusetts residents. The Foundation expects to award $4 million in grants during 2008 to improve the oral health and quality of life among underserved people and to reduce the incidence of dental disease through evidence-based public health models. Our grant investments and partnerships benefit those who do not have access to oral health care, lack the awareness of the importance of oral health to overall health, and who suffer from poor oral health outcomes.  

The Oral Health Foundation has aligned its funding and public partnership development efforts with four key areas identified in the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2003 National Call to Action:

• To reduce oral health disparities through better access to preventive oral health care.
• To reduce the incidence of dental disease through evidence-based public health interventions.
• To increase public understanding of the importance of good oral health as a component of overall health.
• To enhance the existing public health workforce to meet the diverse oral health needs of residents.

In 2008, the Foundation is addressing these goals by emphasizing community solutions and prevention programs. Our funding targets are coalitions actively engaged in addressing oral health issues and willing to devise responses to decrease dental disease at the local level. The Foundation will also support school-based sealant programs increasing access to preventive care for greater numbers of children.