Oral Health Partnerships
Partnerships and collaboration
The MDH Oral Health Program partners with a diverse group of national, state and local organizations in an effort to prevent dental disease and promote oral health in Minnesota, including Normandale Community College, Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, the University of Minnesota, Metro State University and other community-based dental organizations.
Oral Health Coalition
The Minnesota Oral Health Coalition (MOHC) was founded in 2009 through a cooperative agreement between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Oral Health Program.
In the three years leading up to the creation of the coalition, MDH worked with the oral health community to develop the seeds for MOHC – primarily the Minnesota State Oral Health Plan.
MOHC was originally structured as a transitional task force of appointed directors who worked to advance oral health in Minnesota. In the coalition’s early stages, MDH provided expertise and staff time to conduct evaluation activities. MDH also provided the coalition with significant resources, including:
- Support from oral health program staff and state dental director
- Meeting rooms, conference call and WebEx services
- MOHC webpage and membership database
- Archive of MOHC email and written products
The coalition’s structure shifted in October 2011 when MOHC elected its first board of directors. In June 2014, the coalition appointed its first executive director with funding from Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation and Bremer Family Trust, and later that year the organization achieved 501(c)3 status.
The Minnesota State Oral Health Director serves as an ex-officio member of the board of directors committee.
Early Dental Disease Prevention Initiative
Back in 2015, legislators called for the formation of the Early Dental Disease Prevention Initiative (EDDPI), which developed the Healthy Teeth. Healthy Baby. campaign. focused on improving the oral health of very young children (through pregnancy and age 0-3). The Oral Health Program partnered with community leaders, health professionals and organizations across Minnesota and within MDH to prevent dental disease before it starts. The campaign also engages many maternal and child health stakeholders like WIC, Family Home Visiting, Child & Teen Checkups (C&TC), and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Healthy Teeth. Healthy Baby. Grantees
The Oral Health Program has awarded mini-grants to partners throughout Minnesota. These partners implemented innovative and compelling outreach, research or educational projects supporting the Healthy Teeth. Healthy Baby. initiative, including the distribution of more than 10,000 oral hygiene kits across the state.
Join the Healthy Teeth. Healthy Baby. Network
Healthy Teeth. Healthy Baby. needs the support of caregivers, community partners and both medical and dental providers to be successful. To get involved, contact health.oral@state.mn.us.