In February 2022, in order to better reflect their network’s identity as a network versus a single organization and to put children and the network structure at the forefront, the Partnership for Children’s Oral Health renamed itself the Children’s Oral Health Network of Maine. Along with this new name, work over the course of this coming year will include a focus to strengthen the collaborative governance of the Network. For more information, see the website.
Author: Wendy Alpaugh
Equity and Community Engagement in Statewide Oral Health Policy Advocacy: An Analysis of the Field and Recommendations for Improvement
Community Catalyst, a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a movement for health equity and justice, partners with local, state and national advocates to leverage and build power so all people can influence decisions that affect their health. Community Catalyst sponsors the Dental Access Project and provides technical assistance to community groups and consumer health advocates to support identifying and implementing effective local solutions that improve oral health access and community health outcomes.
Last year, with the support of the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Community Catalyst took on a research project to answer the question: What can advocates, funders and community-based organizations do to improve the oral health of communities suffering disproportionate harm from dental disease and related health complications?
The report, “Equity and Community Engagement in Statewide Oral Health Policy Advocacy: An Analysis of the Field and Recommendations for Improvement,” provides key data and recommendations for funders and advocates to more effectively build partnerships that promote sustainable, equity-informed, community-driven advocacy.