California Statewide Task Force on Oral Health for People With Disabilities

2007 Task Force members present a policy brief to legislators on the steps of the State Capitol.

The California Statewide Task Force on Oral Health for People with Disabilities and Aging Californians is designed to advocate for and expand access to affordable, quality oral health care for people with disabilities and older Americans. Faculty members Dr. Paul Glassman and Christine Miller received a grant from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to establish the task force in 1999.

The goals of the Statewide Task Force on Oral Health for People with Disabilities and Aging Californians  include:

• Communication on issues, resources, projects
• Collaboration on joint projects, assessments
• Advocacy for health policy and system reform

Membership

The Statewide Task Force on Oral Health for People with Special Needs is open to all who have an interest in advocacy, health policy and collaboration on oral health projects for people with special needs and older adults. Attendees at past task force meetings include representatives from:

• California Regional Centers
• The California Department of Developmental Services
• The California Department of Health Services
• The State Department of Health
• The California Dental Association
• The California Dental Hygiene Association
• The Foundation for Dentistry for the Handicapped
• California dental schools and dental hygiene programs
• The Dental Health Foundation
• The California Commission on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging
• Various community clinics

For more information, or to attend a future task force meeting, contact:

Maureen Harrington, Project Manager
Pacific Center for Special Care
University of the Pacific
Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
2155 Webster Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
415.749.3383
mharrington@pacific.edu