Oral Health in Macomb County

Why Is This Important?

Oral health is important to overall health.  Good oral health improves a person’s ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and make facial expressions to show feelings and emotions.

Lack of access to dental care for all ages remains a public health challenge.  In particular adults and children on Medicaid receive less dental care than privately insured residents.

What We Do

In 2014, the Macomb County Health Department recognized a growing need to draw support from all community groups to advocate for better oral health in the community. Consequently, in 2015, the Macomb County Oral Health Coalition was launched. The coalition’s membership includes representatives from more than a dozen organizations working collaboratively to promote oral health in Macomb County.

Vision:

All Macomb County residents have access to quality and affordable oral health services and oral health is integrated into their overall health and well-being.

Mission:

The mission of the Macomb Oral Health Coalition is to improve the oral health of all people in Macomb County.

Current Priorities:

• Promote oral health education, especially for early childhood; increase oral health literacy in Macomb County; develop prevention messaging; increase marketing for oral health prevention messages and access; promote the Healthy Kids Dental program in the county to providers and families.

• To increase oral health services in community settings.

• To advocate and promote oral health services and increase service sites and providers for the County’s special populations: children with special health care needs, homeless, mental health, and minorities.

Who We Serve

How We Impact