Oral Health Program

The MFH Board of Directors established Oral Health Promotion and Access (OHPA) in 2007 to expand its efforts to address the serious shortage of resources for
adequate dental health care in the state. OHPA provides funding for two areas of need:

• Smiles Across Greater Missouri (SAGMO), which funds school-based and school-linked dental sealant programs.
• Professional Shortage, which helps organizations develop community dental workforces to address the lack of dental professionals in the state's rural areas.

MFH began addressing the oral health issue with the establishment of SAGMO in 2006. Through
SAGMO, grantees provide dental sealants and prevention education to vulnerable populations less
likely to receive dental care from private resources, and thus reduce the need for costly restorative
treatments in the future.

Since 2006, MFH has awarded $4 million to 10 organizations to implement dental sealant and children/family education programs. More than 1,400 children have been screened, with almost 1,100 having received sealants. Educational activities also have been presented to 7,000+ children and their parents. In May 2008, MFH anticipates approving a third round of SAGMO grants.

Innovative Funding
Do you have an innovative idea that improves the oral health of Missourians?

Ideal proposals should be small scale demonstration or pilot projects that propose methods of addressing systems of care, methods of effecting policy, or other unique delivery systems. Proposals should address prevention as well as include partnerships that will ultimately promote collaborative activities. Proposals should not include direct service delivery.

Innovative funding is very limited and competitive.

Concept Paper Details:
Develop a 2-3 page concept paper which summarizes the problem the project will address, goal of the project, description of the activities/intervention, objectives, anticipated outcomes, population served, timeline, and estimated overall cost.

Concept Paper Evaluation Criteria:

• Does the proposed intervention represent an opportunity with strong potential for success, expansion, and replication?
• Does the concept show a good understanding of what is being attempted, what will be required to follow through, and how to develop the concept into a full proposal?
• Is it well-written, succinct, and easy to understand?

Timeline:
Concept papers were accepted through April 7, 2008.
After review, MFH will invite select applicants to submit a full proposal.

Questions: Please contact Cynthia Hayes, Program Officer, at 314.345.5532 (toll-free 800.655.5560) or email chayes@mffh.org.

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