Local Oral Health Program

About Us:

In January 2018, Orange County received funding from the California Department of Public Health to establish a Local Oral Health Program.  This new funding was made possible by the enactment of Proposition 56, the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax of 2016 that levied an additional $2 tax on tobacco and tobacco products.

With guidance from State Oral Health Program, the Orange County Local Oral Health Program (OC-LOHP) is tasked with conducting activities at the local level that support the California Oral Health Plan (COHP), which aims to improve the oral health of all Californians.  The COHP identified 6 goals with corresponding strategies that address the complexity of oral health equity from population-based prevention interventions (including social determinants of health), dental health care delivery and payment systems alignment to the development of a surveillance system and key performance measurements.

An OC Oral Health Collaborative or Advisory Committee was established and convenes every two months to inform, advise, assist, support and advocate for the mission and vision of the LOHP.  If you have any questions about the LOHP or would like more information regarding the Oral Health Collaborative or Advisory Committee, you may reach us by email at lohp@ochca.com.

OC Local Oral Health Program Priorities:

  •  Improving access to and utilization of dental services
  •  Oral health education and public awareness
  •  Integration of dental and medical care
  •  Dental workforce
  •  Data and evaluation
  •  Coordination of countywide efforts

Popular links:

Oral Health Collaborative

About:

Improving access to dental care and preventing dental diseases is a Healthy People 2030 goal.  Based on its community health assessment process, the Orange County Health Improvement Partnership identified oral health as a ‘new area of interest’ in the Orange County Health Improvement Plan for 2017-19. This resulted in the establishment of the Orange County Oral Health Collaborative.

An OC Oral Health Collaborative convenes every two months to inform, advise, assist, support and advocate for the mission and vision of the OC Local Oral Health Program (OC LOHP). (Currently meeting the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10:00 am to 11:30 am).

If you have any questions about the OC LOHP or would like more information regarding the Oral Health Collaborative, you may reach us by email at lohp@ochca.com.

Membership:

The Oral Health Collaborative represents a broad range of community stakeholders across Orange County such as health care providers and clinicians, CalOptima, educational institutions, community based organizations, local governmental agencies, local coalitions, and collaborates.  All interested individuals and organization representatives are invited to participate.

Vision:

Oral Health Equity for all Orange County Residents.

Mission:

To collaboratively implement programs and services that aim to achieve oral health equity for all.

Strategic Planning:

Between July and December of 2022, the LOHP convened the Orange County Oral Health Collaborative to identify oral health issues affecting Orange County residents and identify targeted solutions for inclusion in the 2023—2027 Local Oral Health Program Strategic Plan:

  • Help improve the oral health of Orange County residents.
  • Align the OC Strategic Plan oral health objectives with California’s Oral Health Strategic Plan.
  • Develop a strategic plan that is dynamic; a responsive plan that can be updated to reflect unpredictable conditions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Develop SMARTIE objectives (strategic, measurable, relevant, time-bound, inclusive, and equitable) based on existing needs, deliverables, and a timeline.

The Oral Health Collaborative and Oral Health Workgroups integrate efforts to improve access to dental care and prevent dental disease that resulted from the OC Oral Health Strategic Plan 2018-2022  addressing the following:

  • Access to and Utilization of Dental Services
  • Oral Health Education and Public Awareness
  • Integration of Dental and Medical Care
  • Dental Workforce
  • Data and Evaluation
  • Coordination of Countywide Efforts

Additional information is located on the Oral Health Strategic Planning Workgroups section.

Meetings: (Currently via Zoom Meeting)

The Oral Health Collaborative meets the 4th Monday of every other month from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm. (Currently meeting 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10:00 am to 11:30 am).

Meeting Location:
1729 W. 17th Street (Learning Center)
Santa Ana 92607

Meetings are subject to change without notice. Please call (714) 347-4513 to confirm date and location of meetings.

  • 2023 Calendar of Oral Health Collaborative Meetings (Currently meeting 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10:00 am to 11:30 am).

Oral Health Strategic Plan Workgroups

About:

In January 2018, with funding from the California Department of Public Health, a Local Oral Health Program was established within the Orange County Health Care Agency. The Orange County Local Oral Health Program (OC- LOHP) was tasked to conduct a comprehensive oral health needs assessment and engage stakeholders to develop an Oral Health Strategic Plan.

Based on needs assessment data findings, the Local Oral Health Program, along with community stakeholders, have established Oral Health Strategic Plan workgroups in the following areas to begin countywide efforts:

  • Oral Health Education and Public Awareness (Meetings currently not being held. Meeting schedule TBD)
    GOAL: Increase the community’s knowledge of recommended preventive oral health practices and awareness of available dental insurance benefits.
  • Access to and Utilization of Dental Services (Meetings currently not being held. Meeting schedule TBD)
    GOAL: Increase the availability, accessibility and utilization of oral health services, particularly for underserved populations.
  • Integration of Dental and Medical Care (Meetings currently not being held. Meeting schedule TBD)
    GOAL: Promote integration of dental and medical care.
  • Dental Client Advocacy  (Meetings currently not being held. Meeting schedule TBD)
    GOAL: The goal of the workgroup is for community members to provide feedback on the dental care system and materials meant for the community. In addition, members become peer leaders in their communities and help promote good oral health practices.
  • Dental Workforce (Meetings currently not being held. Meeting schedule TBD)
    GOAL: Increase the capacity of the dental workforce to serve the diverse needs of Orange County residents.
  • Data and Evaluation (Meetings currently not being held. Meeting schedule TBD)
    GOAL: Develop and implement a County oral health assessment and evaluation plan.

Meeting Location of Workgroups: (currently via Zoom Meeting)

HCA Public Health Services
1725 W. 17th Street (Room TBD)
Santa Ana 92706

Meetings are subject to change without notice. Please call (714) 347-4513 to confirm date and location of meetings.

  • 2023 Calendar of Oral Health Strategic Plan Workgroup Meetings (Meeting Calendar TBD)

Popular links:

Oral Health Education & Public Awareness
  • Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of every month (Meeting schedule TBD)
    9:00 am to 10:00 am
    Meeting Room: Zoom Meeting

Meeting Highlights

Access to & Utilization of Dental Services
  • Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of every month (Meeting schedule TBD)
    10:15 am to 11:15 am
    Meeting Room: Zoom Meeting

Meeting Highlights

Integration of Dental and Medical Care
  • Meetings: 1st Thursday of every month (Meeting schedule TBD)
    9:30 am to 10:30 am
    Meeting Room: Zoom Meeting

Meeting Highlights

Dental Client Advocacy
  • Meetings: Quarterly (Meeting schedule TBD)
    5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
    Meeting Room: Zoom Meeting

Meeting Highlights

  • Coming soon

Page Last Updated: May 18, 2023