An OCF Southern Willamette Valley Regional Action Initiative in Benton, Douglas, Lane and Linn Counties
For the first time in 40 years, tooth decay in young children is on the rise. The reasons for this increase include a lack of insurance, inadequate education about the value of preventive care, and limited access to transportation. If left untreated, dental disease can be devastating to children’s long-term health, educational success, and self-image.
The good news is that it’s preventable, which is why the Southern Willamette Valley Regional Action Initiative Committee is focusing its efforts on improving children’s dental health. As an enthusiastic editorial in the Eugene Register-Guard explains, the Initiative is “a relatively small effort to address just one of many public-health problems, but it promises to have big results.”
In fall 2009, the committee convened two Children's Dental Health Forums to learn more about regional needs and obstacles, and discuss the best strategies for achieving systemic change. The committee has also learned about preventive care measures from nationally recognized oral health researcher Dr. Peter Milgrom, who is Professor of Dental Health Sciences at the University of Washington.
Earlier this year, the committee requested proposals from nonprofit organizations that are interested in expanding preventive dental health efforts in the four-county region. Ten proposals were received by May 14, 2010. The committee is currently reviewing them, and will soon make recommendations to the board of directors. Funding decisions will be announced in August 2010.
This spring, the committee commissioned Health Policy Research Northwest to conduct an assessment of regional needs, and identify existing preventive programs in each county. Their report, “Oral Health in the Southern Willamette Valley: A Community Resources Scan and Needs Assessment,” is now available for download. [Executive Summary / Full Report / Appendices]
On May 20, Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington held a panel discussion in Portland, entitled “The State of Oral Health in Oregon and SW Washington.” Participants addressed the effect of income and racial disparities on dental disease, and discussed proven strategies for promoting oral health and increasing timely access to dental care.
In Eugene, OCF provided a simultaneous audio feed and PowerPoint presentation in the auditorium at Sacred Heart Medical Center, in collaboration with the Sacred Heart Foundation. This was followed by a fruitful discussion between participants in the Eugene and Portland forums.
To get involved or contact us
If you are interested in learning more about or collaborating with the Children's Dental Health Initiative, contact Annette Leong, Southern Willamette Valley RAI coordinator: a3leong@msn.com or 541.744.7337.