An OCF Southern Willamette Valley Regional Action Initiative in Benton, Douglas, Lane and Linn Counties
For the first time in 40 years, childhood tooth decay is on the rise. Causes include inadequate education, lack of dental insurance and limited access to transportation. If left untreated, dental disease can be devastating to children’s self-image, educational success and long-term health.
The good news is that it’s preventable, which is why the Southern Willamette Valley Regional Action Initiative Committee is working to improve 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 identify regional needs and discuss strategies for systemic change. The Committee 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.
Early in 2010, the Committee requested proposals from nonprofit organizations with an interest in expanding regional dental health efforts. The Committee received 10 proposals by May 14.
In spring 2010, the Committee commissioned Health Policy Research Northwest to assess 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 available for download. [Executive Summary / Full Report / Appendices]
On August 5, 2010, the OCF board of directors approved more than $364,000 in funding for the Mercy Foundation and the Umpqua Community Health Center in Roseburg, the Boys and Girls Club of Albany, and Eugene School District 4J. The Committee distributed these funds in early September. Year 2 funding was announced in May 2011. The Southern Willamette Valley RAI Committee greatly appreciates The Ford Family Foundation for its vital support in sustaining these grantees.
As Committee chair Jeff Hale noted in an editorial for the Register-Guard, "Thanks to this funding, Umpqua Community Health Center and Mercy Foundation will reach nearly every community in Douglas County with screenings, fluoride varnishes, sealants and educational programs. The Albany Boys and Girls Club soon will open its new dental clinic. Children in Lane County will receive services to address acute dental pain and extensive dental care."
On October 24, 2010, the Committee convened more than 75 stakeholders — including grantees, insurance company representatives and dental professionals — to hear Dr. Peter Milgrom speak about the importance of preventing tooth decay.
In March 2011, Bi-Mart CEO and OCF board member Marty Smith contacted numerous national suppliers to request donations of dental hygiene products for the Initiative. His effort brought in sizable donations from corporate sponsors, which will provide dental hygiene kits to 550 children. Providing these kits is vitally important because research shows that the lack of adequate dental hygiene supplies is a significant obstacle to improving children's oral health.
In August 2011, all RAI grantrees received training on the SEALS (Sealant Efficiency Assessment for Locals and States) child-level data collection tool, which will help them assess the oral health of participating children and the effectiveness of the dental sealant program.
RAI coordinator Annette Leong is currently collaborating with the Oregon Oral Health Coalition's First Tooth project, which trains primary care physicians to provide dental screenings and sealants to children aged 0 to 3 during routine well-baby checks. First Tooth is federally funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); training is offered without charge to primary care providers in Lane and Linn counties. More than 150 primary care providers have received training as of November 2011. Through this collaboration, the Committee hopes to make oral health training for primary care providers part of the norm.
The Committee is now developing Phase II of this Initiative, which will fill gaps that the initial grant proposals didn't address. Phase II efforts will include educating pregnant moms, reaching out to rural populations and maintaining the incredible momentum and excitement this Initiative has generated. As longtime Leadership Council member Tim McQueary said, “This has been the most positive and rewarding effort that I’ve worked on in my lifetime.”
To get involved or contact us
If you are interested in supporting or learning more about OCF's Southern Willamette Valley Regional Action Initiative, please contact Annette Leong, Southern Willamette Valley RAI coordinator: a3leong@msn.com or 541.744.7337; or Melissa Durham, statewide RAI coordinator: mdurham@oregoncf.org or 503.227.6846.