Michigan Oral Health Coalition Appoints New Board Members

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Michigan Oral Health Coalition

Thank you to those who attended the 2012 Michigan Oral Health Conference "Do What You Do Best and Link to the Rest"

Lansing, MI (PRWEB) June 30, 2012

The Michigan Oral Health Coalition announces their 2012-13 Board of Directors.

Coalition leadership for the next year was elected at the annual business meeting. Join the Coalition in congratulating the 2012-2013 Board of Directors.

Dennis M. Louney, Chair, Delta Dental
Rebecca Cienki, Chair Elect, Michigan Primary Care Association
Jackie Balcom, Treasurer, Muskegon County Public Health
Andrea Goodwin, Secretary, Community Living Services
Janice Harbin-Joseph, DDS, Immediate Past Chair, Detroit Dept. of Health
Jill Loewen, University of Detroit Mercy
Wilhelm Piskorowski, DDS, University of Michigan
Tom Kochheiser, Michigan Dental Association
Carol Lutey, Mott Children's Health Center
Christine Farrell, Michigan Department of Community Health, Ex Officio

Outgoing Board Chair and Members

The Coalition also recognized Dr. Janice Harbin-Joseph for her leadership as board chair this past year. Under Dr. Joseph's direction, the Coalition has redefined its focus on access to care. Member Chris Shea, Immediate Past Chair was also recognized for his years of service on the board. Thank you both!

Thank you to those who attended the 2012 Michigan Oral Health Conference "Do What You Do Best and Link to the Rest" held June 7-8 in Lansing. We hope you found the program informative and engaging with education sessions led by national and local experts.

11 grantees awarded funds to supply water fluoridation for their home towns

The Michigan Oral Health Coalition hosted its annual oral health conference June 7th and 8th at the Lexington Hotel in Lansing. 11 grantees were awarded funds from the Department of Community Health- Oral Health Program and the Delta Dental Foundation to supply or update their communities with water fluoridation equipment.

Grantees include City of Grand Haven, City of Holland, City of St. Joseph, City of Charlotte, City of Cedar Springs, Village of Milford, Village of Schoolcraft, City of Wayland, City of Norway, City of Midland and the City of East Lansing.

This is the third year Delta Dental Foundation, which is the philanthropic affiliate of Delta Dental of Michigan, and the Michigan Department Of Community Health have generously donated to the community water fluoridation program.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers water fluoridation as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th Century. Adjusting the existing, natural fluoride level of a community’s water supply to an optimal level for preventing cavities is safe, healthy, and cost-effective. It helps to strengthen and repair tooth enamel in people of all ages and all socioeconomic levels, especially individuals who do not have access to dental care.

Karlene Ketola, MHSA, Executive Director of the Michigan Oral Health Coalition, is passionate about the dental health of our state and is looking forward to the positive impact that these communities will have on Michigan’s overall dental health.

“Close to seven million people in Michigan are already benefitting from optimally fluoridated water in communities across the state,” said Karlene. “Through this grant program, the Michigan Department of Community Health, Delta Dental and these cities are helping to insure their community and residents have access to this health benefit.”

Conference attendants include dentists, public health officials, dental hygienists, dental manufacturers and more. Sessions focused on issues relevant to research, education, community- based care and programs, highlighting how all these areas of public health integrate toward achieving “optimal oral health” for all Michiganders.

The Michigan Oral Health Coalition is a non-profit whose mission is to improve oral health in Michigan by focusing on prevention, health promotion, oral health data, access and the link between oral health and overall health. 120 members of the Coalition are comprised by primary care clinicians, oral health clinicians, dental benefit providers, advocacy and provider organizations, state and local government officials and consumers working together to improve oral health in Michigan.

For additional information on the awarded grantees or the Michigan Oral Health Conference please contact Karlene Ketola at 517-827-0466, visit our website at http://www.mohc.org, or check out our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/michiganoralhealthcoalition.

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