The Maine Oral Health Coalition is a broad-based network focused on improving access to oral health care. It was convened in June 1997 as a collaboration between Maines Oral Health Program (OHP) and the Maine Childrens Alliance, a childrens advocacy organization. This totally ad hoc group grew to over 120 individuals, representing themselves, dental, and other health professional associations, community and State agencies, foundations, and other groups and individuals across the state.
The Coalitions mission is to raise awareness and support for oral health through community education and advocacy, working toward the realization of our vision, that oral health in valued as vital element of wellness for Maine residents.
The full Coalition meets quarterly and committees meet as needed. The work of the Coalition is carried out by a part-time Coalition Coordinator who consults with a Steering Committee to make decisions and determine activities.
The Coalition Coordinator and Steering Committee work with partners to promote policy changes and disseminate information and resources on current clinical issues and community-based education and oral health promotion efforts. As a network, the Coalition shares information through our quarterly meetings and e-newsletter, Word of Mouth, to:
As individuals and organizational members, we represent many viewpoints and positions. As a Coalition, we focus on shared values and work to build common ground. We recognize that working together, we can realize our mission.
Individuals and organizations make up MOHCs membership. The only requirement is that you believe in and will contribute to our mission, beliefs and values, and guiding principles. There are no dues, and there is no membership application.
The Maine Oral Health Coalition was convened as the Maine Dental Access Coalition in June 1997 as a collaboration between Maines Oral Health Program (OHP) and the Maine Childrens Alliance, a childrens advocacy organization.
The Policy Work Group educated legislators and policy makers on oral health issues, cultivated oral health champions in the legislature, and encourages new organizations to join in MOHC work on policy.
The Hands On Team worked on specific priorities within the Oral Health Plan, emphasizing those that had to do with behavioral modification at the clinical/community level including increasing oral health screenings in well child visits, increasing childcare provider capacity to do oral assessment and guidance, and increasing dental practices that see children under three. This committee worked on the Head Start Dental Home Initiative.
Maine Health Workforce Forum MOHC members served as an oral health subcommittee within the Forum and addressed data collection on Maines oral health workforce, responded to opportunities for student loan repayments, connected Maines oral health workforce to Department of Labor training opportunities, and supported oral health workforce training grants.