Oral Disease Prevention Unit

Minnesota
Oral Disease Prevention Unit

Optimal Oral Health for All Minnesotans

Oral disease, although nearly 100 percent preventable, affects children, adults and families across Minnesota every day. While oral diseases are significant, their relationship to overall general health is often overlooked. It is the role of dental public health to prevent and control dental diseases and promote dental health through organized community efforts.

The Oral Disease Prevention Program is part of the Center for Health Promotion at the Minnesota Department of Health. This public health program works to build the infrastructure and capacity of oral health within Minnesota.

The Oral Disease Prevention Program works with partners throughout the state to reduce the prevalence and impact of oral disease. It also works to enhance oral health care access and addresses oral health disparities in Minnesota. The focus is on essential public health functions as related to assessment, policy development and assurance.

Funding

The Center for Health Promotion at the Minnesota Department of Health has entered into a Cooperative Agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Through this Cooperative Agreement, CDC will provide funding and technical assistance to help Minnesota develop and operate a public health program to improve oral health. This approach promotes key program activities and components.

The Community & Family Health Division at the Minnesota Department of Health has received funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to develop an oral health surveillance program. Funding will be used to develop and publish a five year surveillance plan. Funding will also support the collection of primary data on specific at-risk population groups.