Resources for Needs Assessments and Oral Health Improvement Plans

A structured framework with uniform nomenclature and indicators is useful for conducting community and state oral health needs assessments and developing, implementing, and evaluating state oral health improvement plans (SOHIPs). Implicit in needs assessment is inclusion of risk assessment methods to help identify and prioritize groups at risk for poor oral health and programs with the greatest potential impact. A structured, coordinated approach allows alignment of goals, objectives, strategies, and evaluation measures; tracking needs over time; comparisons with other states or with national objectives; and sharing best practices. This workshop will highlight and provide experience with the ASTDD 7-Step Oral Health Needs Assessment Model, the State Oral Health Plan Comparison Tool and associated resource documents to help participants understand their usefulness in creating or updating SOHIPs.