Broadening the Base: Overview of a State Coalition Demonstration Project of the Multicultural Oral Health Alliance (MOHA)

On behalf of The Multicultural Oral Health Alliance, Marcy Frosh and Dr. Caswell Evans will be presenting Monday, April 26, 2010 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at the National Oral Health Conference (NOHC) in St. Louis:

The Mulitcultural Oral Health Alliance, with founding partners Hispanic Dental Association (HDA), National Dental Association (NDA), Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID), and Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), sought to further its mission and vision to promote oral health equity through a collaboration with a state oral health coalition (Oral Health Awareness Colorado!). The resulting demonstration project was held in Denver, Colorado on December 4, 2009, with diverse participation that extended beyond the regular base of Colorado's coalition. The session provided a structured format to develop a common language when interests are defined demographically but represent shared interests. Sessions involved presentations (including extensive data on the oral health status of Colorado populations with comparative national data) and working group activities designed to frame a process to develop recommendations for a forthcoming Colorado oral health summit.

This NOHC session will provide:

• an overview of the planning and methods to undertake the demonstration project;
• a review of objectives for the project, identified to:
  • design and launch a process to establish oral health priorities and recommendations for disparities policy and advocacy for a forthcoming statewide planning summit;
  • create a group and process to act on behalf of disparately affected populations;
  • and lay the foundation for a replicable process to be used nationwide;
• and a description of what was accomplished through the demonstration project, including cross-cutting themes and practical next steps to maximize the opportunities presented.

  For more information contact Marcy Frosh.