Rural Oral Health Consultant MIchigan Department of Health and Human Services
Disclosure(s):
Emily J. Norrix, MPH: No financial relationships to disclose
Description: Rural Michigan is home to 20 percent of the state’s population and comprises nearly 94 percent of the state’s land area. It’s not unusual for Michiganders to drive hundreds of miles to receive dental care- if they are fortunate enough to have the transportation to do so. To address this fact and other long-standing gaps in rural communities, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched a first of its kind rural oral health initiative in January of 2024. Roundtable attendees will focus on the development of Michigan’s rural oral health plan, and how MDHHS has partnered with academic institutions, veteran groups, tribal and farmworker entities, payers, nonprofits, and more to obtain local data and obtain rural community buy in. Participants will learn about the rural social determinants of health and their impact on the receipt of dental care, including those who are considered asset limited, income constrained, yet employed (ALICE). Attendees will participate in a lively discussion of promising practices and lessons learned while leaving with an increased knowledge of the rural oral health landscape, strategies MDHHS used to find qualitative and quantitative data, as well as how meaningful community partnerships and trust were formed.
