- Watch Your Mouth Massachusetts: The Watch Your Mouth Coalition Is Working In Massachusetts, New Hampshire And Maine To Make Children's Oral Health A Priority. Objectives of the Watch Your Mouth Coalition are to Educate the public that tooth decay is the most common childhood disease that can cause diminished school performance and poor overall health. WYM advocates for wider access to preventive services, such as dental sealants and fluoride, and regular dental exams for all children.
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Newsletter
Vol. 2, issue 10December 2007
December Events
- Affordable Dental Screenings Services (Norwood, MA)
- Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses - December 9,2007 (Northampton, MA)
- Center for Planning, Health Policy and Research: State Approaches to Improving Healthcare Access Seminar -December 6, 2007 (Portland, ME)
- National Network for Oral Health Access Conference--- December 9-13, 2007 (San Diego, CA)
Greetings!
Happy Holidays! The Watch Your Mouth Campaign is wrapping up a busy 2007. We have commenced the planning for our Third Annual Oral Health Heroes Event honoring oral health champions. So mark your calendars and save the date February 14, 2008.
In this issue, we have a wonderful resource from the Frame Works Institute's E-Zine highlighting the importance of communication tactics to engage the public on any issue; also we'll learn from our partner of the month and share with you a dental screening service available in Norwood, MA. Last but not least, don't forget to check out the side bar on the left for upcoming events and other helpful resources.
Save the Date-- February 14, 2008 for the Third Annual Oral Health Heroes Event
February is Children's Dental Health month, and there is much to celebrate! The Watch Your Mouth Campaign will be holding its Third Annual Oral Health Heroes Event on February 14, a celebration to honor legislators, community leaders and organizations that have improved the state of oral health in Massachusetts. The oral health heroes nomination process has begun and we encourage your participation. Please nominate individuals, organizations, or groups in Massachusetts that have demonstrated the following:
- Outstanding leadership in oral health advocacy and/or organizing;
- Strong commitment to improving the state of oral health in Massachusetts
Change the Conversation on Any Issue, One "Causal Sequence" at a Time
How the public understands your campaign issue lays the foundation of how receptive your audience will be to your efforts. According to Frame Works Institute in their most recent online newsletter, E-Zine, when it comes to communications, the dominant approach is not always the best approach. But knowing the right framing and communications tactic to get the conversation started can increase your issue's overall visibility and influence. The Frame Works Institute defines this tactic as causal sequences, which looks at what the "common messages" your campaign issue is telling the public and "reveals what is obscured by these messages that advocates can use to change the conversation about their campaign issue."
Frame Work's E-Zine provides examples of Causal Sequences for the issue of childhood obesity. To learn more about Causal Sequences, click here.
December Partner Spotlight: Community Coalition of Cape Cod
From a grassroots vision in 1987 to create a more formal process of collaboration for Health & Human Service agencies on the Lower/Outer Cape, emerged the Lower/Outer Cape Community Coalition. Over the past twenty years, the coalition has grown with its community to mobilize collaborative efforts in surveying, assessing, strategic planning, problem solving and maintaining broad-based community development concerning health and human services issues. The Coalition strives to provide leadership in developing policies, practices and programs that are effective and accountable to those they serve and to their funding sources. The Coalition is proud to have spun off more than a dozen programs which directly address the needs of residents in our area and beyond. These programs tackle issues regarding transportation, housing/homelessness, health care access, drug prevention, child care, economic development, youth development, oral health, health care workforce and support for elders. This year we have become a free standing, non-profit organization and we have changed our name to the Community Coalition of Cape Cod, Inc. To learn more about the Community Coalition of Cape Cod, Inc., please contact Kristin Braun-Cappello at 508-255-2163 or kbrauncoalition@verizon.net
Consumer Corner: Affordable Dental Screening Services in Norwood, MA
The Norwood Health Department in partnership with the Norwood School Department offers dental screening conducted by a local pediatric dental specialist in the schools. In conjunction with dental screenings the Health Department offers dental treatment for children in grades 1 - 6. The treatments are given by a Registered Dental Hygienist for only $1.00 per treatment. Treatments include sealants, cleanings and dental hygiene instructions. For children with routine dental care, it is a chance to get an extra cleaning and for those without routine dental care, it provides an opportunity to have a child's teeth cleaned. At such a minimal cost all parents are encourage to take advantage of the program. If a student is in need of restorative dental care, such as fillings and extractions, the Health Department has contracted with a local pediatric dental specialist, Dr. Mark Stone DMD, to perform the work. In order to qualify for the more extensive care the family must not have dental insurance or other means for third-party payment. For more information, please feel free to contact Sigalle Reiss at the Norwood Health Department, 781- 762-1240 x174 or sreiss@norwoodma.gov
Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy 2008. We look forward to another great year with you!
Many Thanks,
Czarina Biton
Previous Newsletters
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
Watch Your Mouth Massachusetts is supported by grants from the Oral Health Foundation and Dental Services of Massachusetts.
Watch Your Mouth Coalition.
