Citizens' Watch for Oral Health Campaign
Overview of Accomplishments
A broad range of highly credible new voices from diverse organizations has been engaged in the effort to speak up for children's and seniors oral health.
Notable examples include:
- The Washington state Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Pediatricians
- Family physicians
- Labor unions
- Business leaders
- Children's organizations
- Community activists
A consensus has been forged among coalition members regarding a range of policies that should be supported, including:
- Urging healthy food and beverage choices in schools (including bottled fluoridated water)
- Expanding access to oral health care and promoting linkages between providers and patients
- Increased support for fluoride
- Support for efforts to identify and replicate "best practice" prevention programs.
Opinion columns, editorials, news articles and letters to the editor have been published in virtually every major paper in Washington state.
Print and radio ads have been run statewide. The advertising is conducted during the first quarter of each year to coincide with the legislative session. Several community partners have participated in the ad campaign, such as:
- Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center
- Public Health - Seattle & King County
- Benton-Franklin Community Health Alliance
- Sacred Heart Children's Hospital
- Spokane Regional Health District
- Children's Village in Yakima.
These partnerships help demonstrate the broad base of support for oral health. The ads include messages about the prevalence of oral disease, the connection between oral health and overall health and the need for increased prevention, including cost-effective initiatives such as fluoride.
The Governor's 2003 budget included language that directs the Department of Social and Health Services and the Department of Health to "work together to identify opportunities for early intervention and prevention activities that can help prevent disease and reduce oral health issues among children." This is evidence that our efforts to raise the visibility of oral health are working.
Funding for existing children's oral disease prevention programs was maintained during 2003. This was especially noteworthy in light of the significant funding cutbacks that were required to balance the budget. Also, the number of legislators who understand and care about children's oral health issues has been expanded
Local coordinators are building grassroots support throughout communities. They are delivering the message that oral health is important and that prevention should be a priority.
Nearly 300,000 posters, brochures, tattoos and mugs have been distributed statewide, increasing visibility of the campaign and oral health in general.
Most importantly, the Citizens' Watch effort has led to increases in public support for children's oral health. Of particular significance is that Washington state residents now strongly support a number of policy proposals.
