Best Practice Approaches and Public Health Actions

Responding to A National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health

The ASTDD Best Practices Committee urges state, territorial and community oral health programs to respond to U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona’s report, A National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health, by developing, implementing and supporting best practices that will promote oral health, eliminate oral health disparities, and improve quality of life. Oral health programs need to cultivate best practices that will demonstrate impact or effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and collaboration or integration to achieve desired goals. Best Practice Approach Reports on this website provide information and share ideas for cultivating best practices. The following Best Practice Approach Reports can guide several of the needed efforts proposed by the Surgeon General’s Call to Action:

1. “Create oral health action plans” with “monitoring and evaluation components”
   
   Best Practice Approach Reports:
   • State Oral Health Plans and Collaborative Planning
   • State-based Oral Health Surveillance System


2. “Increase collaborations”
   
   Best Practice Approach Report:
   • State Oral Health Coalitions and Collaborative Partnerships


3. “Overcome barriers by replicating effective programs and proven efforts”
   Best Practice Approach Reports:
   • Use of Fluoride: Community Water Fluoridation
   • School-based Dental Sealant Programs


4. “Increase oral health workforce diversity, capacity, and flexibility”
   Best Practice Approach Report:
   • Access to Oral Health Care Services: Workforce Development