The Central Massachusetts Oral Health Initiative (CMOHI): a successful public-private community health collaboration.
OBJECTIVE
The Central Massachusetts Oral Health Initiative (CMOHI) aimed to improve access to quality oral health care in central Massachusetts.


METHODS
A broad-based public and private organization partnership with local and national funding created a steering committee to organize school administrators, community leaders, and a medical school to collaborate on five goals: advocate for changes in oral health policy, increase oral health care access, provide school-based dental services for underserved children, establish a Dental General Practice Residency, and educate medical professionals about oral health.


RESULTS
A state legislative Oral Health Caucus helped secure sought-after policy improvements; more regional dentists now accept Medicaid; community health center capacity to provide dental services was expanded; school-based programs were designed and delivered needed dental services; a dental residency was created; and methods of educating medical professionals were established.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant sustainable gains in oral health care access were created through our multifaceted approach, ongoing evaluation and communication, coordination of CMOHI partner resources, and collaboration with other involved parties.
Silk
Hugh
H
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA. hugh.silk@umassmemorial.org
Gusha
John
J
Adler
Ben
B
Leicher
Ellen Sachs
ES
Finison
Lorenz J
LJ
Huppert
Michael E
ME
Stille
Sheila
S
Yost
Janice B
JB
D004499:Education, Dental, Graduate; D005582:Foundations; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts; D009909:Oral Health; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships / Q000458:organization & administration; D012571:School Dentistry