Rural Dental Champions

Many rural Minnesota Head Start programs find it difficult complete their dental examination and treatment requirements. Failure to meet the federal Head Start program performance standards around oral health can result in programs losing their federal funding. The Minnesota Dental Association has over 3,000 members and through this partnership is helping to match dentists willing to volunteer with rural programs with unmet dental needs.

A total of five (5) Head Start programs are participating in Minnesota's Rural Dental Champions (see map below for more information about these programs and contact information). The goal of the project is to:

• Recruit dental providers in the 28 Minnesota counties served by these Head Start programs
• Match Head Start children with volunteer dental providers and
• Decrease barriers to care for Head Start children.

Click for Detailed County information

This project will make it easier for dentists to volunteer to provide exams and prevention in settings that are comfortable for the children. Scheduling appointments will be coordinated for the dentist according to their availability. Clinical supplies for exams and/or treatment, fluoride varnish, and education will be available to dentists who agree to provide these services.

If you are a dental provider and would like to help Head Start, please call Pat Glasrud at the Minnesota Dental Association or reach out to one of these local Head Start program contacts.