dqf2019087

Maryland: Support to the Maryland Dental Action Coalition (MDAC) to work as the network leader to help eradicate dental disease in children and improve the oral health of pregnant women in Maryland. Specifically, MDAC will focus on strengthening Maryland’s oral health network; increasing oral health literacy of pregnant women, mothers, caregivers, and child care providers; improving oral health awareness, knowledge, and inter-professional collaboration of health providers; and advocating for oral health policy changes to achieve optimal oral health for pregnant women and all Marylanders. MDAC will help attain a shared understanding of the multiple factors that influence the health system and identify leverage points that can improve the state of Maryland’s oral health landscape. The proposal aligns with the Oral Health 2020 goal 4 of eradicating dental disease in children and the target of having 75% of children reach age 5 without a cavity. $189,354 will be used to support personnel time and expenses related to the project’s implementation.