In a recent government meeting, leaders from Santa Cruz County presented a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at improving oral health access for low-income residents. Sheri Sturm, Chief Strategy Officer at DNT's Community Dental Care, and David Brody, Executive Director of First 5, co-chaired the initiative, which has been in development since 2015.

The plan, unveiled at the Oral Health Summit in April, is informed by a 2022 needs assessment highlighting a significant drop in dental visits among young adults. While 80% of children aged three to five visit the dentist, this figure plummets to just 18% by age 21. The strategic plan outlines four key goals: expanding clinic capacity, collaborating with schools, focusing on senior dental health, and integrating medical and dental services.

To increase clinic capacity by 21% by 2028, the plan includes hiring more staff and enhancing mobile dental programs. A notable initiative is a new apprenticeship program in partnership with the county Office of Education, which aims to train dental assistants through a pay-as-you-learn model.

The second goal emphasizes the importance of establishing a \"dental home\" for children as they enter school. The initiative has already seen a 79% increase in children on Medi-Cal having a dental home. The plan aims to further engage teens, targeting a 60% regular dental visit rate for those aged 10 to 18.

Recognizing the growing senior population, the plan also seeks to boost dental visits among seniors on Medi-Cal from 27% to 40% through mobile dentistry and advocacy for dental coverage under Medicare.

Lastly, the integration of medical and dental services aims to improve access for pregnant individuals and children, particularly through educational campaigns and referral programs. The initiative also includes increasing fluoride varnish applications for young children, addressing the lack of fluoridated water in the county.

The presentation concluded with an invitation for community engagement through the oral health website, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing these critical health issues. The meeting underscored a collective commitment to enhancing oral health access and education across Santa Cruz County.