Oral Health Coalitions of America is an on-line community of oral health coalitions from across the country. The coalitions range in size and scope, but all are engaged in efforts to improve oral health in their communities. Oral Health Coalitions are important because they help spread responsibility across multiple organizations, enabling them to become more active and involved in a broader range of issues and activities. Coalitions may also increase networks and access to resources, and they can recruit additional groups to join a cause or help with a target issue.
Due to the collaborative nature of a coalition, the power and importance of an issue can be maximized and achieve a critical mass while minimizing duplication of efforts by different organizations. Since various organizations and individuals make up a coalition, the combination of provided resources, skills, and areas of expertise make it easier for the coalition to adapt when situations change. The pooling of resources is powerful because it increases opportunities and effectiveness, and the voice of many is much more powerful than the voice of only one.
In an Oral Health America 2006 survey of state oral health coalitions, conducted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Association of State and Territorial Disease Directors (ASTDD) under Cooperative Agreement #04135, 91 percent of respondents indicated that a state-wide oral health coalition is present in their state and has been in existence for one to five years.
All respondents stated that improving access to dental care was a goal for their state, and most shared that eliminating disparities in oral health, dental sealant placement, and community water fluoridation were also key issues for coalition action. The three highest priorities for the coalitions were resource development, policy development, and operations and processes. Respondents also welcomed the opportunity for on-line training and interaction.
Oral Health Coalitions of America represents leaders from coalitions large and small, incorporated and unincorporated. We hope you will join us as we work together to eliminate disparities in oral health care.
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