The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) is a national non-profit organization representing the directors and staff of state public health agency programs for oral health. It was organized in 1948 and is one of 17 affiliates of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). ASTDD formulates and promotes the establishment of national dental public health policy, assists state dental programs in the development and implementation of programs and policies for the prevention of oral diseases; builds awareness and strengthens dental public health professionals' knowledge and skills by developing position papers and policy statements; provides information on oral health to health officials and policy makers, and conducts conferences for the dental public health community.
A strong and effective governmental oral health presence in states and territories to assure optimal oral health.
- advocate for a governmental oral health presence in each state and territory,
- increase awareness of oral health as an important and integral part of overall health,
- address health equity,
- promote evidence-based oral health policy and practice, and
- assist in the development of initiatives to prevent and control oral diseases.
The ASTDD Membership consists of the chief dental public health officer (state dental director) of the state health department or equivalent agency, and the U. S. Territories. ASTDD also offers Individual or Organizational Associate Membership which is open to any public agency, voluntary organization, tribal entity and/or health professionals employed or interested in dental public health. Members and Associate members serve on and chair committee's or work groups, receive the ASTDD newsletter, are enrolled on the ASTDD list serve, and participate in the ASTDD Annual Business Meeting held in conjunction with the annual National Oral Health Conference. Individual Associate member dues are $75.00 per year. Organizational Associate Membership dues are $400 per year.
ASTDD Key Messages
State Oral Health Programs make an essential contribution to public health and must be continued and enhanced. Resources to Support ASTDD Key Messages.
Announcements, Publications & Documents
- Navigating the ASTDD Website: This 10 minute tutorial provides tips on how to navigate the ASTDD website more efficiently and productively.
PowerPoint - Oral Health Matters - The summer 2018 edition of the ASTDD newsletter; meet members and associate members, check out state shots, and much more. (August 2018)
- ASTDD Chronic Disease and Older Adult Oral Health Webcast - As the older adult population in the U.S. increases, there is a greater need for those in public health and clinical oral healthcare settings to incorporate chronic disease assessment for older adult patients. Our speakers discussed how various chronic disease conditions can impact treatment planning and oral health outcomes. Ms. Park is a chronic disease consultant to the ASTDD and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. She provided an overview of the connection between a healthy mouth and overall health. Dr. Cartier provided information on national trends and how they impact the delivery of oral healthcare. He also discussed the Seattle Care Pathway and how this can be applied to "prioritize" the type of oral care that is delivered to older adults. (August 2018).
PowerPoint
Additional Resources- ASTDD White Paper: Improving Oral Health Access and Services for Older Adults
- Oral Health America: Oral Health Benefit in Medicare Part B White Paper
- Grant Makers in Health: Returning the Mouth to the Body: Integrating Oral Health and Primary Care
- Qualis Health: Oral Health, An Essential Component of Primary Care White Paper
- Seattle Care Pathways
- ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW Best Practice Approach Report – Use of Fluoride in Schools.
The ASTDD Fluorides and Best Practices Committees are pleased to announce the NEW Best Practice Approach Report (BPAR) Use of Fluoride in Schools (Updated July 2018) has been posted to the ASTDD website! This new BPAR report contains updated information on K-12 school-based fluoride mouthrinse or fluoride supplement programs. In addition, the report reviews information on the use of other fluoride products as they are used in school settings including fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride, school water fluoridation and fluoride toothpaste/brushing.
States, communities and territories have submitted State Activity Submissions as examples of success stories and lessons learned to serve as models of implementation strategies for best practices or promising practices. Thank you to all the members of the Fluorides Committee, Best Practices Committee and the School and Adolescent Health Committee for feedback and multiple reviews.
For corrections or more information please contact either Lori or LeeAnn.
Lori Kepler Cofano. BSDH LeeAnn Hosglin Cooper
Best Practices Committee Consultant Fluorides Committee Consultant
Email: lcofano@gmail.com Email: lahcooper@comcast.net - What is the Defining Line Between Policy and Advocacy? - Has your program engaged in a discussion about how to "move the dial" in your state and then worried about what you can and cannot do to elicit changes? In this session, Ms. Nicole Johnson, CDC Division of Oral Health Associate Director for Policy, Partnerships, and Strategic Communications, describes CDC's view of health policy, both formal and informal; and discusses the difference between providing education, policy development, and lobbying. She walks the audience through the federal language that addresses lobbying restrictions and explains what it means. Ms. Johnson also provided the audience with CDC resources that support policy development to promote health. (June 2018)
PowerPoint
April 15-17, 2019 | Memphis, TN
Thank you!
| Platinum Sponsor: |
| Aseptico |
| Gold Sponsors: |
| American Dental Association |
| Young Innovations |
| Plak Smacker |
| Silver Sponsors: |
| Elevate Oral Care |
| Spry/Xlear, Inc |
Advertising on ASTDD's website does not imply an endorsement by ASTDD of a company's products or services.
Fluoride Varnish Program Report and Fluoride Varnish Program Catalog - The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) is pleased to share the results of the survey of the school-based fluoride varnish programs (children 6-17 years old) operating in the U.S in 2015-2016. In addition to the description of the survey, we were able to create a catalog of fluoride varnish programs by state. We found that responders defined fluoride varnish programs differently and we were not able to clearly identify programs that offered only fluoride varnish. We also identified states that did not answer in the affirmative while incorporate fluoride varnish into existing school-based programming. The number of programs and contacts may have changed since the survey was conducted. Please send any additions, corrections or other clarifications directly to our consultant, LeeAnn HoaglinCooper. The complete survey questions and responses are available to ASTDD members in the Members Only section of the ASTDD website. (October 2017)
