Dental Public Health: Federal Government vs. State and Local Levels
Niki Nia
PUBH 5050 Introduction to Public Health
Dr. Michael McCunniff
October 11, 2015
As a general view, the goal of dentistry is to prevent and treat oral disease. The approach to achieving this goal is what differs between the federal, state, and local levels. Various organizations have been set in order to cater to all phases and necessities of dentistry in the dental public health system of the United States. These organizations vary in their methods of organization, financing, and delivery of dental care. By comparing and contrasting these organizations, one can distinguish and admire each organization for what does in the dental public health …show more content…
As a broader entity, the federal government focuses on issues “through research, finding of patient care and providing patient care to the military, Indian Health Service, and individuals in custody of the federal government. The primary jurisdiction for dental public health activity within the federal government is located in the US Department of Health and Human Services” (Smith, 2013). The Department of Health and Human Services is essentially a cabinet-level government agency that oversees various healthcare programs; these programs include the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Indian Health Service (HIS), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Each of these programs pertain to dentistry, both in the private and dental public health sectors. The NIH’s main role is to conduct and fund research. This organization is vital as it “makes important discovers to improve health and save lives” (Smith, 2013). As the largest source of funding for medical research, the NIH is composed of 27 institutes, one of which is the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). This institute moves forward with the “mission to improve dental, oral and craniofacial health through research, research training, and the …show more content…
In 2014, the oral health services offered by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health were funded via the 2014 Public Health Budget of $59,045,517 (Maricopa County FY 2014 Tentative Budget). One of the services, the Dental Sealant program, provides dental screenings, sealants, education and referrals to 2nd and 6th grade children that attend schools in which 40% of students are in the Arizona Department of Education National School Lunch Program (Dental Sealant Program). Another preventive-based, local level service offered by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health is the First Teeth First program in which dental screenings, parent education, fluoride varnish, and referrals are provided for children ages five and younger in Maricopa County (First Teeth First). Maternal Oral Health Programs are also available which include oral screenings and education for pregnant women as it pertains to their oral
Niki Nia
PUBH 5050 Introduction to Public Health
Dr. Michael McCunniff
October 11, 2015
As a general view, the goal of dentistry is to prevent and treat oral disease. The approach to achieving this goal is what differs between the federal, state, and local levels. Various organizations have been set in order to cater to all phases and necessities of dentistry in the dental public health system of the United States. These organizations vary in their methods of organization, financing, and delivery of dental care. By comparing and contrasting these organizations, one can distinguish and admire each organization for what does in the dental public health …show more content…
As a broader entity, the federal government focuses on issues “through research, finding of patient care and providing patient care to the military, Indian Health Service, and individuals in custody of the federal government. The primary jurisdiction for dental public health activity within the federal government is located in the US Department of Health and Human Services” (Smith, 2013). The Department of Health and Human Services is essentially a cabinet-level government agency that oversees various healthcare programs; these programs include the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Indian Health Service (HIS), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Each of these programs pertain to dentistry, both in the private and dental public health sectors. The NIH’s main role is to conduct and fund research. This organization is vital as it “makes important discovers to improve health and save lives” (Smith, 2013). As the largest source of funding for medical research, the NIH is composed of 27 institutes, one of which is the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). This institute moves forward with the “mission to improve dental, oral and craniofacial health through research, research training, and the …show more content…
In 2014, the oral health services offered by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health were funded via the 2014 Public Health Budget of $59,045,517 (Maricopa County FY 2014 Tentative Budget). One of the services, the Dental Sealant program, provides dental screenings, sealants, education and referrals to 2nd and 6th grade children that attend schools in which 40% of students are in the Arizona Department of Education National School Lunch Program (Dental Sealant Program). Another preventive-based, local level service offered by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health is the First Teeth First program in which dental screenings, parent education, fluoride varnish, and referrals are provided for children ages five and younger in Maricopa County (First Teeth First). Maternal Oral Health Programs are also available which include oral screenings and education for pregnant women as it pertains to their oral