Post on 23-Feb-2016
description
Colorado’s Oral HealthWinnable Battle
Christopher E. Urbina, MD, MPHExecutive Director andChief Medical OfficerColorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Colorado’s Winnable Battles were chosen because:
• They are important – large health impact
• We have an ability to impact these areas
• There is capacity to impact these areas
Colorado’s 10 Winnable BattlesClean AirClean WaterInfectious Disease
PreventionInjury PreventionMental Health &
Substance Abuse
ObesityOral HealthSafe FoodTobaccoUnintended
Pregnancy
Oral Health Winnable Battle CollaborativeTri-agency supportFive dozen partnersMonthly meetingsShared initiativesShared messagingShared resourcesFocused efforts
Why Oral Health Matters
•Preventable diseases•Inequitable burden•Sustainable change
Consequences
Military Readiness1940: 1 out of 10 army recruits
didn't have enough teeth to enlist.(Number of teeth needed to enlist: 6)
2002: 34% of military personnel on active duty require dental care prior to deployment
Measuring our successes:
• Increase age one dental visits.• Increase sealants on permanent teeth.• Improve rates of community water fluoridation.
Rampant Decay
Children’s Oral Disease – a Public Health Crisis• Most common chronic disease of
childhood• US Surgeon General: oral health
is a core component of overall health
• Need to reduce oral health inequities
Metal Mouth
Simply by drinking fluoridated water, everyone in the community benefits.
No change in behavior is required by the individualEveryone – regardless of age, gender, culture, socio-
economic status – can benefit
Fluoridation
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named community water fluoridation as one of the 10 great health achievements of the 20th Century.
Colorado’s Future