Public Health: Assuring a Strong Oral Health Infrastructure

To build a strong public health infrastructure all three of the core public health functions are needed: assessment, assurance, and policy development.

Investment in public health from federal, state and local governments has been established to assess and ensure the highest attainable health for all Americans.  To build a strong public health infrastructure includes, all three of the core public health functions of 1) assessment, 2) assurance, and 3) policy development.  In oral health, traditional public health activities include, but are not limited to leadership and oversight through state and local Dental Directors; collection analysis, and interpretation of data that can flow to implement program activities- data may include rates of tooth decay and adequacy of workforce; and program development and implementation--including but not limited to school based sealant programs, safety-net dental care, and community water fluoridation. 

Federally, state and local jurisdictions look to the Department of Health and Human Services both Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for expertise, resources and leadership on oral health research, surveillance, workforce training and program support.