In 2023, we have ramped up our focus on government relations and strategic initiatives to overcome challenges and improve children’s access to high-quality dental care. By collaborating with leaders and community groups to inform government representatives, we have established our organization as a key influencer in promoting equal access to dental care for all residents of Michigan.
One of the most vulnerable populations in our state is children, with one in four Michigan third graders having untreated dental disease, as reported by the Michigan Department of Community Health. This is why partners pushed for policies that focus on enhancing dental health for children, including advocating for kindergarten assessments.
Following the launch of The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program (KOHA) in June 2022, aimed at enhancing school readiness and promoting the significance of good oral health, MCDC collaborated with the health departments of Allegan County, Bay County, and the City of Detroit to offer assessments to the community. MCDC collaborated with oral health coordinators across the state to increase awareness and advocate for oral health literacy. However, they encountered obstacles related to program recommendations and insufficient funding.
Thousands of children in Michigan now have improved access to dental assessments, thanks to the legislation signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in December. The bill, known as Senate Bill 280, gained widespread bipartisan support in the Michigan Legislature. My Community Dental Centers (MCDC) worked closely with healthcare providers, dental professionals, and educators to advocate for mandatory dental assessments for Michigan kindergartners through Senate Bill 280. The bill’s bipartisan approval in the Michigan Legislature highlights its significance.
“Thanks to Sen. Sam Singh, who sponsored this bill, and the Michigan Legislature, many children across the state will receive dental assessments at no cost to their parents or guardians for the first time,” said Dr. Deborah Brown, “These screenings will play a crucial role in identifying oral issues that may have gone unnoticed, ultimately enhancing the well-being of Michiganders both now and in the future.”
MCDC is partnered with the Allegan County, Bay County and City of Detroit health departments to provide assessments to the community, as well as statewide oral health coordinators to create awareness and oral health literacy.
