The State Oral Health Coalition has developed Washington’s first Oral Health Improvement Plan. Input was collected from community groups, the public, health professionals, educational institutions, businesses, and government agencies.

The plan provides guidance to the private and public sectors about areas that need urgent attention — oral disease prevention, oral health promotion, access to care, oral health data and system improvements.

The plan is a response to the state’s first oral health needs report released in 2007, which showed that Washington rated low in terms of several cost-effective prevention measures for tooth decay, such as fluoridated water and school dental-sealant programs.

Another important document released in 2009 is the state’s first Oral Health Workforce Report. It provides data about the oral health work force’s characteristics, major factors affecting the future work force supply in urban and rural areas, and oral health services for underserved populations. This information may help policymakers find solutions to oral health work force issues.

The state Department of Health invites oral health professionals and organizations to take part in this effort. Contact Dr. Joseli Alves-Dunkerson at (360) 236-3524 to learn how to get involved.

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See also appendices to the Washington State Collaborative
Oral Health Improvement Plan 2009-2014.

• Appendix C. Prioritization Criteria.

• Appendix D: .Measurement Indicators

• Appendix E: Healthy People 2010 Oral Health Goals and Objectives. This is a set of 10-year national objectives for promoting oral health and preventing oral disease. Healthy People 2020 are being drafted and will be published in 2010.

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