Community Health Foundation supports oral health with its Oral Health Coalition whose focus is access, education and policy. CHF has supported the Chakeres Dental Clinic at the Rocking Horse Community Health Center since its inception providing $400,000 in operating support over the past 8 years. Education efforts include providing educational materials and dental supplies to elementary classrooms for Children’s Dental Health Month as well as hosting children’s dental screenings through the Give Kids A Smile program with the help of local dentists and dental hygienists. This fall, Cedarville University nursing students are visiting Clark County elementary schools to provide toothbrush training and toothbrushes and paste as well as oral health nutrition tips to the students.
Faith Bosland, CHF Springfield’s program and grants manager, provided information on oral health industry careers at Springfield High School’s Career Fair last spring.
The Oral Health Coalition also works to advocate for better oral health programs and services via the Ohio Department of Health, Oral Health Ohio and local dental societies.