Fiscal Agent: DentaQuest Foundation. Theory: the more medical professionals talking about oral health, the better. With a $50,000 grant from CT Health, the DentaQuest Foundation will integrate a tried and true oral health curriculum into the education of primary care medical professionals in Connecticut and across the country. As part of a multi-funder national collaboration, DentaQuest will cultivate “champions” within primary care disciplines “family medicine, pediatrics, nursing, physician assistants” who will advocate for the inclusion the Smiles for Life curriculum into pre-doctoral, nursing, and nursing assistant education, training and residency programs. If oral health is integrated into a primary care education, it could have a significant impact on the day-to-day practice of medicine. The premise is that patients who hear about the importance of oral health during primary care visits are more likely to visit dentists for treatment and regular check-ups. DentaQuest hopes its “champions” can integrate oral health into 30 percent of medical education programs nationwide by 2013. This momentum could lead to the development of education accreditation standards and licensing requirements.
Other Grants: