G-1905-15122

The purpose of this grant is to support the Hawaii Public Health Institute (HiPHI) in strengthening the infrastructure of the Hawaii Oral Health Coalition while continuing to drive policy and advocacy focused on reinstating an adult dental benefit and improving the public perception of the value oral health. More specifically, this project builds on the momentum from last years grant that focused on community building, legislative advocacy, and coordinating with key statewide partners to elevate oral health into a broader policy discussion. HiPHI brings a great deal of expertise in facilitating coalitions and driving public health policy in the state and, were poised as leaders in the states efforts to reinstate an adult dental benefit last year. This positions HiPHI to leverage their network to tap into the public opinion on oral health, to leverage their relationship with the state department of health and align with the new state oral health plan, and continue to survey policy makers in the state on their future support for an adult dental benefit. This work will lead directly into the 2020 legislative session at which point the partners and coalition in Hawaii will be poised to activate with support from HiPHI. This project aligns with the Oral Health 2020 goals of expanding a Medicaid adult dental benefit and continuing to shift the public perception of the value of oral health as a part of overall health. The budget for this project is $45,800 which is primarily to support staff, supplies, and travel to fulfill the deliverables.