ASTDD provides a variety of resources for state/territorial oral health programs that have technical assistance needs. Requests and assignments are managed through the state Program Review and Assistance Committee and a consultant coordinator, Dr. Reg Louie. The request may be for help on a specific topic, help in conducting a self-study to determine progress or areas for improvement, a comprehensive onsite program review by a consulting team, or follow up to an onsite review. Depending on the type of request, technical assistance may occur via email, phone, travel to a state/territory by a consultant(s) or travel to another state or federal agency by someone from the state/territory. Submit all requests using the process and forms described below.
Oral Health Assessment and Surveillance: ASTDD provides technical assistance with the Basic Screening Survey tool and other aspects of data surveys such as sampling and data analysis. To request assistance, download this form Data Technical Assistance Form and e-mail to Dr. Brad Whistler, Chair, ASTDD Data Committee at brad_whistler@health.state.ak.us ASTDD also has produced a number of documents related to needs assessment and surveillance that can be downloaded or ordered. ASTDD’s two primary consultants in this area are Dr. Mike Manz and Dr. Kathy Phipps. States/territories that have CDC infrastructure funding should try to fund at least a portion of any requested activities through their CDC grant.
Head Start Oral Health
ASTDD works closely with a number of agencies, organizations and individuals to provide support and technical assistance to states and territories around Early Head Start/Head Start oral health issues. Support for initial oral health forums with action plans is for $5,000 and is granted based on periodic issuance of Requests for Proposals. Support for follow-up activities to help implement action plans is for $2,500 and is also granted based on periodic issuance of Requests for Proposals. You can view examples of reports and action plans from state/territorial forums as well as RFPs.
Most requests for technical assistance are now coordinated through Regional Oral Health Consultants. State Collaboration Offices often are in the position to provide assistance as well. Requests for educational materials are usually handled by the MCH Oral Health Resource Center at http://www.mchoralhealth.org/HeadStart/Index.html. Other requests related to state/territorial oral health programs can be emailed to the ASTDD Head Start Coordinator, Ms. Kathy Geurink, at kgeurink@satx.rr.com who will review them to see how they can best be handled.
Children with Special Health Care Needs
ASTDD works closely with a number of agencies, organizations and individuals to address oral health issues for children with special health care needs (CSHCN). Recently, ASTDD issued an RFP for support for $5,000 for initial oral health forums with action plans, and hopes to issue other RFPs periodically. You can view the RFP and list of grantees. Reports and action plans will be posted as they are received.
Requests for educational materials are usually handled by the MCH Oral Health Resource Center at http://www.mchoralhealth.org/HeadStart/Index.html. Other requests related to state/territorial oral health programs can be emailed to the ASTDD CSHCN Coordinator, Dr. Jay Balzer, at jbalzer@qwest.net who will review them to see how they can best be handled.
Peer Exchange Program This is a voluntary program for a pair of state dental directors who desire to learn from each other or work collaboratively on certain programs or projects. It is envisioned that directors who may live in neighboring states, or who have similar programs or similar programmatic issues and a desire to collaborate as peers may benefit from a more structured opportunity designed to facilitate the work. Details and forms are available in the Members Only section.
Other Focus Areas
States/territories may find that you have requests related to school-based sealant programs, fluoride varnish programs, integration of oral health into MCH or Chronic disease programs, or a number of other issues. One way to receive feedback to questions you have is for ASTDD members to post questions on the ASTDD listserv (a members only listserv) or the kids oral health listserv (only for state dental directors and Medicaid/SCHIP dental consultants). If you want feedback from a broader audience, you could post questions on the dental public health listserv. To subscribe, send an e-mail from the address you wish to use for the list with the word subscribe in the body of the text (leave the Subject line blank) to: majordomo@list.pitt.edu
If you have other questions/concerns that require more in-depth, personalized attention, ASTDD may be able to provide assistance. Complete the form Request to ASTDD for Technical Assistance in those cases. Some options are to work with one or more consultants, visit or request a visit from an expert at the Centers for Disease Control, or request someone with expertise in Maternal and Child Health issues.
Comprehensive Oral Health Program Review
ASTDD offers an opportunity for states to participate in a comprehensive oral health program review consisting of various self-assessment tools along with an onsite visit by a team of consultants who conduct interviews, share observations and recommendations, and provide a final report and follow-up. Between 1986 and 2004, ASTDD provided comprehensive onsite reviews for 19 states, and recommendations based on self-studies alone for 3 additional states. The process has undergone a number of changes over the years. A 2001 Evaluation report of 20 of the reviews is based on responses from state contacts. The program review is not an evaluation against standards, per se, but rather a multi-stage assessment process that results in a final report with recommendations. After the review, ASTDD provides follow-up to arrange for technical assistance, training or other support, depending on a state’s needs, and documents outcomes after 3 months and 6 months.
If a state is considering a comprehensive program review, download the ASTDD State Oral Health Program Review (SOHPR) Manual for instructions and the associated forms. Appendices are available as WORD documents for downloading and completion. CDs of the manual and appendices are available through the ASTDD Central Office. Consultants/site visitors who are selected to participate in state reviews can obtain a CD of the Team Manual from the Central Office as well.
