Title For Agenda Item:
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Approval of $650,000 in ARPA funds for the Public Health Department’s children preventative oral health infrastructure project in partnership with the Children’s Oral Health Network of Maine
recommendation
Recommended Action:
Authorize the Public Health Director to use ARPA funding to strengthen the children’s preventative oral healthcare infrastructure in Cumberland County.
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Background and Purpose of Request:
Dental disease is linked to a number of systemic health issues included diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, pre-term/low birth weight babies and many other serious health problems. It also impacts the entire community because of lost work hours, lost school days, people living in chronic pain, unnecessary ER visits, etc. The solution to dental disease is prevention and early intervention, yet nearly 30,000 children in Cumberland County are currently getting NO preventative dental care at all.
Strengthening the infrastructure for providing preventative oral healthcare was identified as a key priority in the recently release Cumberland County Community Health Improvement Plan. In response, the Public Health Department has identified key partners and a project that would lead to a more coordinated and sustainable children’s preventative oral health infrastructure for Cumberland County. The Public Health Department would work with the Children’s Oral Health Network of Maine over the next 3 years to complete a mapping and modeling project; coordinate partners to develop a sustainable system of coverage throughout the county; provide funding for additional equipment needed for service expansion; work with the State’s School Oral Health Project and Maine CDC to ensure sustainability; and plan for institutionalizing implementation beyond 2026. Please see the attached Memo for more details
Staff Contact: Liz Blackwell-Moore, Public Health Director for Cumberland County
Presentation: No
Fiscal Impact and Source:
Refer to the attached budget for more information.
Phase 1: Mid 2023-Dec. 2024 $300,000
Phase 2: Mid 2024-Dec. 2026 $350,000
Effective Date if Applicable:
Phase 1 would begin immediately
Phase 2 would start in Mid-2024